The son of a Sikh temple leader who was murdered by a white supremacist last year said he plans to run for Congress to challenge Republican Rep. Paul Ryan, USA TODAY reported.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Amardeep Kaleka -- a documentary film maker -- said he blames Republicans for the government shutdown and criticized their lack of effort to curb gun violence.
"They're more concerned with the groups, the corporations that are giving them money than with what the people want," he said of Congress.
"There's a fever in the nation, and specifically in this district, for our leaders to stop playing politics and do their jobs," he added. "All I want to do is bring democracy - a government of, for and by the people - back to America."
Kaleka, 35, plans to run as a Democrat and will file his formal paperwork on Wednesday to form an exploratory committee.
Kaleka's father, Satwant Singh Kaleka, was killed in August 2012 by Wade Michael Page -- a musician who played in several neo-nazi bands -- in addition to six others. He was the founder and president of the Milwaukee-area Sikh temple.
A candlelit vigil was held in August to mark the one-year anniversary of the shooting.
Ryan issued a statement regarding the one-year annivesary of the "senseless act of violence" and commended retired Lt. Brian Murphy for responding to the scene.
"Since that fateful day, the people of Oak Creek have come together," Ryan said in his statement. "They refuse to let violence shake their community."
Although Rep. Paul Ryan, current House Budget Chairman and former vice presidential nominee, easily won an eight term in the House last year, he has been targeted by Democrats in Wisconsin before.
Kaleka spent the past few years working as a filmmaker in southern California and won an Emmy for his direction of Jacob's Turn, a story about a four-year-old boy with Down Syndrome who joins his first T-ball team.
The Washington Post reported that although he originally dreamed of running for office in his 50s or 60s. his father's murder encouraged him to run sooner.
