April 17, 2026

First-year Honors student helps elect Kirkland’s first South Asian councilwoman

For first-year Honors student Mahika “Mahi” Malladi, a typical Fall weekend meant helping lead a city council campaign, organizing canvassers, and educating voters throughout the election process. Mahi served as campaign manager for Shilpa Prem’s 2025 Kirkland City Council Position 3 race, a role that reinforced for her the importance of participating in local elections. Reflecting on this experience, Mahi shared, “Even as a freshman student, learning how to articulate yourself in an environment of pressure is so valuable—not only in your personal development as a person of color who is teaching the world to take us seriously, but in politics in which our humanity is debated.”

With Mahi’s leadership and the broader campaign team’s efforts, Kirkland elected its first South Asian woman to City Council, winning by more than 650 votes. She was also recognized as a Campaign Heroine by the National Women’s Caucus (WA Chapter). Mahi notes, “Democracy is not easily sustained. We hold such strength navigating racially aggressive discussions and continue to come out month after month to champion our values.”