Candidate Profile: Shri Thanedar, U.S. Congress; Detroit Area

DETROIT — Democrat Shri Thanedar is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Michigan's 13th Congressional District, which includes Detroit. He will face other Democrat candidates, including John Conyers III and Adam Hollier in the Democratic primary on Aug. 2.

Thanedar currently represents the Northeast portion of Detroit in the Michigan State House of Representatives. Here's how he filled out his candidate profile:

Name

Shri Thanedar

Campaign website

https://shriforcongress.com/

City or town of residence

Detroit

Office sought

U.S. Congress

District, if applicable

13th Congressional District

Party affiliation

Democrat

Education

BS-Chemistry, MS-Chemistry, Ph.D- Chemistry, MBA

Occupation

State Representative since 2020, previously a scientist and business owner

Family

I live with my wife Shashi. I have two sons, Neil and Samir and two grandchildren.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Age

67

Previous public office, appointive or elective

State Representative 2020-present

Why are you seeking this office?

I’m running for office because I know what it is like to struggle. I grew up in poverty, worked as a janitor, slept in my car some nights, and I was able to lift myself out of poverty through education and hard work. Now the American Dream is simply not possible for too many in our community. I am a scientist, a businessman and an entrepreneur. I believe my science background will allow me to craft legislation on issues like climate change that are rooted in research and facts. As a State Representative, I’m proud to have brought $1.2 billion in funding for Detroit Public Schools, $97 million for literacy programs, and co-sponsored a $1.5 billion Racial Equality and Reparations Fund act. In Washington I will fight daily to bring more funding back to the District so we can build wealth for our communities. I’m running for Congress because I believe I can have much more of an impact tackling these issues at a federal level.
I’m currently a State Representative, representing HD-3 in East Detroit. In Lansing, I’ve focused on bringing resources back to my district, protecting workers, improving education, and supporting everyday people. I’ve always believed in supporting workers and everyday people. I grew up in poverty and with a good education and hard work, I was able to create successful businesses. I always shared profits with my employees and when I sold the business, I shared proceeds with everyone at the company, from the janitor to leadership. I was always transparent with how I ran my businesses, keeping open books for all my employees, and CEO salary was never more than 3 times that of the lowest salaried employee. I know firsthand that uplifting workers leads to success, and I’ve always supported workers as a State Rep, and it’s what I’ll continue to do in Congress.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My policies are not just talking points, but come from growing up in poverty, being an immigrant, losing a spouse to mental illness and raising my boys as a single parent, being an entrepreneur and creating 100s of good jobs. I have vowed not to take corporate PAC money, therefore I will not have any ‘favors’ to pay back when elected. I am committed to policies that will actually help the people of the district, like universal healthcare, racial equity & reparations, affordable housing & infrastructure. I am a hard worker, I will show up everyday to fight for the people of the district, I have not missed a single session as a State Rep.
Considering Republicans don’t believe in science, I think the country would benefit from having a scientist in congress.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

It's an open seat

Do you think the federal government can or should do more to curb inflation, which has led to an increase in prices for food, gas and other goods?

Congress should take actions to end price gouging and stop corporations that make Americans pay more to increase their profits. I’d support legislation like Ending Corporate Greed Act which would impose a 95% windfall tax on corporations profiting from the pandemic.

Do you support changing the state’s constitution to ensure that women have to right to get an abortion?

Yes

Do you support the Raise the Wage ballot initiative, which would increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2027 and provide cost-of-living increases in later years?

Yes, I have been involved in the fight for $15 for several years

Would you support an election initiative to require another audit of the 2020 presidential election, to transfer authority over the audit from the Secretary of State to a newly created auditing panel, and to change how elections are reviewed in the future?

I do not think that is necessary at this time.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Education, Climate Change, Housing, Infrastructure, Voting Rights

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have helped bring in the largest per-pupil education budget in Michigan the second year in a row. I co-sponsored a $1.5 billion Racial Equality and Reparations Fund Act.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Never give up mp matter how hard things get, by my Mother as we were growing up in abject poverty.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I’m proud to go to Lansing everyday and vote in the interests of everyday people. I have never missed a single vote and I’m honored that the people of East Detroit chose me to be their State Representative. In Congress I’ll always show up everyday in Washington to fight for working families and everyday Americans, not big monied special interests.