Pakistani-Born, Huntington Hospital-Affiliated Pulmonologist Announces Candidacy for Lieutenant Governor

San Marino-based pulmonologist Asif Mahmood, who is affiliated with the Huntington Memorial Hospital, is running for lieutenant governor of California.

Dr. Mahmood announced his candidacy at a news conference Wednesday just outside the offices of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in downtown Los Angeles, in front of a crowd of supporters and passersby.

“As a Muslim immigrant from the great blue state of California, I’ll be a triple threat to Donald Trump. I’m running for office to fight against him and fight for our families,” Mahmood announced.

Mahmood, who came to the U.S. two decades ago, said he is running to continue his work helping others.

“Here are my three top priorities – health care, education, and standing up to Donald Trump,” he said.

Mahmood said he was born in rural Pakistan and was raised by poor parents. He said he went to “very basic and primitive schools,” but acquired the urge early in life to learn and to progress.

“My father had always dreamed of becoming a doctor, but he was forced to quit school at an early age. Instead, he passed his doctor dream on to me. My parents were poor but they sacrificed so I could go to medical school,” Mahmood said.

In the 1990s, Mahmood moved to Kentucky to complete medical school. He moved to Southern California in 2000.

With over 17 years of experience as a physician, he is also affiliated with Garfield Medical Center in Monterey Park, Greater El Monte Community Hospital, and the Methodist Hospital of Southern California in Arcadia.

Mahmood is 47 years old and lives with his wife and three teenage children near Los Angeles.

In his speech, he vowed to continue fighting for equality and urged supporters to join him.

“California must be the leader of the Trump resistance, and I will fight him every step of the way. I hope I can get your full support and I hope you can join me in the fight against hate, division and bigotry,” Mahmood said.