American politician (born 1984)
Ranjeev Puri (born c. 1984) is an American politician serving as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives since 2021, representing the 24th district, and serving as the House Majority Whip since 2023.
Before joining the Legislature, Puri worked in financial consulting and then went on to work for President Barack Obama. Puri received his undergraduate degree in economics and finance and went on to receive his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 2014.
Early life, education and career
Puri was born around 1984 in Racine, Wisconsin to immigrant parents.[1] He earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Ohio State University.[2] In 2014, Puri obtained a Master's of Business Administration from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago.[1]
Political career
Puri worked on Barack Obama's presidential campaign.[3] Since 2013, Puri worked in business development for Fiat-Chrysler. Puri is affiliated with the Michigan Indian American Democratic Caucus.[2]
Puri was endorsed by the then-incumbent state representative Kristy Pagan when he ran in the primary for the Michigan House of Representatives seat representing the 21st district.[1] On August 4, 2020, Puri won this primary. On November 3, 2020, Puri won the general election for this seat, assumed office on January 1, 2021. With his victory, Puri became the youngest Asian-American elected to the Michigan Legislature, and the first ever Sikh-American elected in Michigan's legislative history.
Upon starting his second term in the Michigan House in January 2023, Puri was selected by his colleagues and Democratic Leadership to serve as House Majority Whip for the 2023-2024 legislative term, Puri was also appointed[4] as Chair of the Appropriations subcommittee on Transportation. As Chair, Puri has been vocal about the need to modernize Michigan's infrastructure to prepare for robust public transit and mobility options.
In 2023, Puri made national headlines with his statement[5] in response to the Michigan State University shooting. Puri is an advocate for common sense gun reform, and has spoken of his own personal experience with gun violence as his family's former place of worship fell victim to a white supremacist mass shooter in the Oak Creek Sikh Gurudwara shooting in 2012.
In November 2023, Puri was awarded the 2023 Council of State Government (CSG) 20 Under 40 Leadership Award.[6] Puri spearheaded work in the historic common sense gun reforms of Michigan and nation leading clean energy reforms earning him distinction amongst his peers.[7]
In 2024, he sponsored legislation to take away the ability of homeowners associations to block homeowners from putting in place energy efficiency structures on their houses, such as solar panels and home electric vehicle chargers.[8] The bill passed the Michigan state legislatures on party lines before being signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.[8]
On November 7th, 2024, Puri was elected by his Democratic colleagues to serve as House Democratic Leader for the 2025-2026 term in the 103rd Michigan Legislature. Upon winning his election as Democratic Leader, Puri is regarded as the highest ranking Asian-American, Indian-American and Sikh-American elected official in state legislative politics in the entire country. [9]
Personal life
Puri resides in Canton, Michigan. Puri is married and has three children.[1] Puri is Sikh.[2]
References
