Aneesh Chopra lives life with energy and passion second to none. He is not afraid to tackle the most difficult problems, and he has a record of using innovative approaches to solve them. Aneesh brings experience and a deep commitment to education, opportunity, and equality to everything he does. As a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, Aneesh is committed to addressing the Commonweath’s biggest challenges with energy, optimism, and determination.

Born the son of immigrants in Trenton, New Jersey, Aneesh Chopra has spent his life focusing on education and innovation. Aneesh’s father immigrated to the United States in 1966, and enrolled in the engineering program at Villanova University. He would go on to earn three patents for his work in the refrigeration industry. His mother began a career as an entry-level clerk and worked her way up to become a financial project manager. Aneesh’s family worked hard to lift themselves into the middle class and give their children access to great public schools and all of the opportunities afforded by a strong education.

Aneesh attended Johns Hopkins University and then the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard. After graduate school, Aneesh worked in the private sector, including a job at the Advisory Board Company – a healthcare think tank dedicated to helping hospitals better serve patients. While at the Advisory Board Company, Governor Mark Warner appointed Aneesh to several councils and commissions. Through this work, Aneesh decided he wanted to pursue his lifelong dream of entering public service. He began full-time service to the Commonwealth when Governor Tim Kaine tapped him to serve as Virginia’s Secretary of Technology. In this position he traveled throughout Virginia helping families and small businesses harness the power of technology and innovation to find pragmatic solutions, create jobs and improve their quality of life.

In 2009, based on his record of success in Virginia, President Obama appointed Aneesh as the nation’s first Chief Technology Officer. In this role, Aneesh was charged with promoting innovation to address the nation’s most urgent priorities -- from creating jobs to reducing health care costs and keeping our nation secure. As with his work in Virginia, Aneesh brought new energy to tackle some of our nation’s biggest problems. Upon Aneesh’s departure to run for office, President Obama said, “his legacy of leadership and innovation will benefit Americans for years to come, and I thank him for his outstanding service.”

Aneesh ran for the Democratic nomination for Virginia Lt. Governor in 2013. He presently serves as co-chair of the Virginia Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign. He lives in Arlington with his wife Rohini Chopra and their two daughters.