Candidate Profile: Padma Kuppa, MI State Senate; Troy, Rochester Area

TROY, MI — Democrat Padma Kuppa is running for election to the Michigan State Senate District 9, which includes Troy and Rochester Hills. Kuppa currently represents Troy in the state House, where she has served for two terms.

Kuppa is running opposed for the seat and will face Republican Michael Webber, who is also running unopposed in the Republican primary, in November's general election.

Here's how Kuppa filled out her candidate profile:

Name

Padma Kuppa

Campaign website

https://www.electpadmakuppa.co...

City or town of residence

Troy

Office sought

Michigan State Senate

District, if applicable

MI State Senate 9

Party affiliation

Democrat

Education

NIT Warangal, Hyderabad, India BS (Mechanical Engineering) 1984-1988, Graduate School (Masters programs) - SUNY Stony Brook, Engineering Design - 1989-1990 NYIT, Computer Science 1988-89

Occupation

MI House Representative District 41 (two terms)

Family

Husband, Sudhakar Tadepalli, and two adult children, Shreekari and Shreyas.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Age

57

Previous public office, appointive or elective

MI House Representative HD-41 (2018 to present)

Why are you seeking this office?

Nearly 25 years ago, I moved to Michigan with my husband and two children. I want to ensure that we continue to support the services that attract working families. The economic opportunity in the auto industry, vibrant community services, and local public schools were perfect for a young couple with a toddler and a new baby.
As the state Representative for Michigan’s 41st House District (second term), I’ve use what I’ve learned as a parent, a working professional in the auto and finance industries, and a community leader to find common ground, solve problems, and represent Troy and Clawson. Now I will take that to the Senate, and build upon these efforts to advance the needs of the new district and the state.

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

I believe it is important to listen to your constituents, provide them information and resources about how the state government works, and then act to raise their voices to get things done in Lansing. Based on discussions with my community, they are concerned about education, clean water (the Great Lakes and drinking water), and revitalizing the economy. I have a proven track record of accomplishments on these issues but there is much work to be done which is why I am running for Senate. I come to government with both a business and non profit background, and believe in making government more effective, with a focus on building the middle class and reducing the burdens on working families. We must take action to solve problems. Here are some key examples of my action oriented efforts: from my time on Troy Planning Commission, I introduced a tree protection ordinance to prevent developers from clear-cutting that was passed by Council without any objections; as a State Representative, I championed a bipartisan policy that would close a loophole in the law and protect vulnerable adults from online sexual predators; I introduced legislation to protect our pollinators and enhance the EV infrastructure in our state; I eliminated the tampon tax and helped reduce period poverty; and most recently introduced bipartisan legislation to help make college affordable in order to fill the fields where there are worker shortages.

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

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?

Yes

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

Yes, I believe that this medical decision is best made privately by an individual, in consultation with their family and their doctor.

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

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?

No. The 2020 election has been audited previously by non-partisan organizations, and the election audit confirmed the accuracy and integrity of the count. Our money is better spent by supporting hard-working election officials, the Secretary of State and the countless poll workers who work tirelessly to assure our democracy is free, fair, and safe.

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

Based on discussions with my community, education, clean water (the Great Lakes and drinking water), and revitalizing the economy are my top priorities (see answers to Q16 and Q18).

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

Serving my second term as a legislator, I am also an engineer, a mom, and a community builder. I have had a very successful career as an automotive, auto finance and IT professional, with a career that spans working for a local small business to Chrysler and Ally Financial. I volunteered for decades in various community organizations, serving in K-12 PTAs and multiple boards and commissions while I worked and raised my kids. I was a Troy Planning Commissioner and a Zoning Board member. I currently serve on the boards of the Troy Historical Society and the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion, and continue to work with multiple civic and interfaith organizations, including the one I co-founded (the Troy-area Interfaith Group) where I brought people together to engage in dialogue across ideological differences - an important skill set in today’s polarized political climate.
I came to this country as a foreign student, with two suitcases and $250, working my way to becoming a naturalized citizen, and became a state legislator to restore America’s promise and rebuild the middle class. In the Legislature, I bring a fresh perspective, a strong work ethic, wide-ranging grassroots support, and an ability to build relationships. I advocate for and provide resources to my constituents, and have taken on leadership in the Asian Pacific American Caucus (Co-chair) and Michigan Legislative Black Caucus (Historian); and am the Co-Chair of the bipartisan House Breakfast Group with Rep. John Damosse. I am also the inaugural Democrat on the Bicameral Bipartisan Women’s Council convened by Michigan’s Women’s Commission, alongside Rep. Julie Calley. In addition, I was appointed by Gov. Whitmer to the Prescription Drug Task Force and MI STEM Council in my first term. I want to expand on the work I’ve started and further my commitment to public service.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

The best advice I’ve gotten is that “all politics is local” and to focus on where you are and the issues you can impact at the local level. It is why I have been engaged in community organizations for decades, volunteering to address the needs and concerns of my neighbors and the people I live amidst. Democracy works for the people when people get involved!

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

Please visit my campaign website at ElectPadmaKuppa.com and social media platforms (FB/Twitter/Instagram) to see endorsements, priorities, what I am up to, and ways to get involved. Please visit my House website at Kuppa.HouseDems.com and stateside social media to stay tuned to my legislative efforts during my two terms in the House.