Davis Announces Candidacy for Vacated Illinois Seat
Republican Jennifer Davis is running for the U.S. House seat in Illinois' 8th Congressional District, which is being vacated by Indian American Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi. Davis, a first-time political candidate and technology entrepreneur with extensive business ties to India, laid out her political biography in an exclusive interview with the Indian news agency IANS.
Krishnamoorthi has represented the district for a decade. The decision for Davis to enter the race began taking shape in January 2025, according to reports from The Hans India.
Business History and India Operations
Davis describes herself as a technology entrepreneur and longtime employer in India. She and her husband started a technology company while she was still in college. By the time of her graduation, the business had grown sufficiently that pursuing a teaching career no longer made financial sense.
The company expanded to India in 2002, initially opening an office in Kolkata before later moving operations to Hyderabad. Davis stated she "really fell in love with the culture when we started to go to India." Indians made up the majority of employees in her business; Davis described personally helping Indian employees and their families move to the United States, meeting them at airports, and helping them find familiar grocery stores.
"When we ask a lot of questions, and we become curious, we become -- it doesn't seem foreign anymore... And you become a friend instead of a foe or an adversary. And we don't have to focus on what makes us different. We can focus on what makes us the same," Davis stated.
By the time the company was sold to private equity in 2019, it had about 240 employees; Davis estimates 300 to 400 people worked for the business over its history. Davis remained in an operating role until January 2023 and served as a board member until April 2025.
Personal Background and Political Motivations
Davis grew up on a farm in Wisconsin; her parents owned an auto repair business where she got her first paid job. She studied education, Russian history, and English at university. Davis stated her dad was a Democrat and her mom was a Republican.
She is the sixth of nine children, a mother of 10 (seven biological and three adopted), and has seven grandchildren. Her youngest child is now 19, giving her time to contemplate running for public office. Eight of her 10 children have left Illinois; Davis said their departure sharpened her concerns about taxes, politics and the opportunities available to the next generation.
"You have two choices when you complain about something: you either need to be quiet or do something about it," Davis stated.
Policy Focus on Technology
Davis says the Congress needs lawmakers who understand artificial intelligence, data centres, blockchain, and the rapidly changing technology economy. Her husband reportedly told her, "I know what the problem is, that we were trying to buy labour, but instead we need to invest in people." Politico reported that a page regarding Jennifer Davis and Illinois' 8th Congressional District could not be found.