WASHINGTON, DC – Greek-American Peter Choharis is running for Congress in Maryland’s 6th Congressional District. The primary election is on Tuesday, May 14.

Choharis is an immigrant from Greece who was an orphan before being adopted by a working-class family in Boston when he was 2. His father was a Navy corpsman who served with the Marines and became a member of two unions: the Machinists and Hotel Service Workers. After his parents divorced, Peter and his sister were raised by a single mom. With hard work and determination, he was admitted to Harvard, becoming the first person in his family to go to college. Choharis worked as many as three jobs during the academic year to put himself through school, so he knows first-hand the burdens created by the high cost of college education.

When Choharis graduated, Harvard awarded him a Sheldon Traveling Fellowship. He went to the Thai-Cambodian border and worked in a war zone for the International Rescue Committee, helping refugees fleeing the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia. After that, he went to Sudan and worked for UNICEF during a famine and civil war. Choharis later went to Yale Law School and became a lawyer.

He lives in Potomac, Maryland with his wife Lili, an immigrant from Peru who grew up outside of Baltimore, and their two young daughters.

On his campaign’s website, Choharis explains why he is running for Congress, noting that “fifty percent of Americans won’t earn as much their parents did — the lowest percentage since World War II. People need a living wage, education that doesn’t leave them struggling with debt, and an economy where the next generation will have a better future instead of falling behind.”

Choharis wants to use his experience winning tough battles to be a fighter for Maryland’s 6th District. He has been involved in national Democratic politics for years, including serving as the Executive Director of the 2004 Democratic Platform Committee for John Kerry. He has spent his career helping people get through struggles and hardships, defending people who could not defend themselves, and achieving results for people who needed him in their corner. Now, Choharis wants to fight for Maryland in Congress.

He wants to serve Maryland by growing the economy, financing higher education, advancing fundamental tax reform, expanding vocational training and jobs, investing in the green economy, and making government more effective and efficient. “And he will protect America’s national and economic security,” as noted on his campaign’s website. “But most of all, Peter will fight for the people of Maryland’s 6th District. It’s time to fight for Maryland’s future.”

Brothers Jim and Ted Pedas shared a letter in support of their friend Peter Choharis’ run for Congress, noting that “he attended the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Boston (Evangelismos) and served as Vice President of the altar boys there.”

“Peter is an accomplished international lawyer and expert on law and foreign policy,” the Pedas brothers wrote. “He has represented many countries in various kinds of disputes and transactions. He is also a well-known human rights lawyer and represented Paul Rusesabagina, the hero of the film ‘Hotel Rwanda,’ after he was kidnapped, tortured, and subjected to a show trial in Rwanda a few years ago.”

“He also knows our Hellenic issues very well,” they added. “He represented Cyprus on several international matters and follows the region closely. Peter has published dozens of articles and Op-Eds in newspapers such as The New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal. Peter also wrote about Europe and Greece during the debt crisis for Forbes.com. With his knowledge and skills as a lawyer, he will be a powerful advocate for Hellenic causes and our community.”

“But most of all, Peter is a kind and compassionate person,” the Pedas brothers wrote. “He cares about others and has tried to help those in need most of his life.”

“We got to know him because his co-worker in a refugee camp married our ‘xaderfos’ [cousin] Dennis,” they noted. “Peter and Dennis have become close friends, and Dennis is the godfather of both of Peter’s daughters. We care about Peter and support him for Congress, where we know he will help our country, our community, and the people he will serve.”

To help support Peter Choharis in his run for Congress, make a donation online: https://shorturl.at/evVX4.

More information is available online: https://www.peterformaryland.com/.