US Elections 2020: Indian-origin millionaire Thanedar elected to Michigan state legislature

Indian-origin Democrat millionaire who ran for Governor two years ago, ShriThanedar has been elected to the House of Representatives in Michigan with 93 per cent votes.

Thanedar, 65, the scientist and businessman, raised a record-breaking USD 438,620, primarily from his own wealth, in the state House primary against six other opponents.

He won from the 3rd District of Michigan with 93 per cent of the total votes.

Originally from Karnataka’s Belgaum, he earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry at 18 and master’s degree from University of Bombay. Later, he migrated to the US in 1979 to pursue higher studies from University of Akron and later University of Michigan.

"I''m seeing people have no hope. Conditions are really bad and nothing has changed in years. People are disenfranchised. I''ve slept and ate on the floor, with no running water," Thanedar said, referring to his upbringing in India.

"I understand the pain of poverty,” he said.