Dialogue at a Hanukkah-Diwali Event: Districts, Death Threats and Decisions
- Rep. Samantha Steckloff and I stand in solidarity to protect pollinators, support civil liberties, and unite against anti-Semitic and anti-Hindu attacks.
On a cold night in December, the AJC/JCRC (American Jewish Committee/Jewish Community Relations Council) and the Hindu Community Relations Council of Michigan brought people together at a local Hindu temple in my colleague Rep. Samantha Steckloff’s district. We started by lighting the diyas and a menorah and lingered over samosas and eggless latkes. We created a heartwarming space to develop camaraderie between people from these two faith traditions. With Fox 2 News anchor Roop Raj serving as moderator, my colleague and I talked about what it’s like to be the “only.” She is the only Jewish woman in the legislature; I’m the first and only Hindu. We shed light on how our backgrounds inform what we do – our approach to service, the bills we champion, our partnerships with each other and our colleagues.
Rep. Steckloff’s commitment to service is bolstered by her Jewish background, heritage and personal experience: her mom also served in the House. We explained about overcoming the challenges we face as women, as religious minorities, and more. Rep. Steckloff represents a strong Democratic district; I am on the frontlines as the first Democrat to represent HD41. We highlighted our shared values — from our bill package to protect bees and butterflies, to how we pick our battles and achieve legislative wins. Rep. Steckloff pointed out that despite extensive work behind the scenes to bring legislation to fruition — like repealing the tampon tax or building electric vehicle infrastructure — I have yet to see a public act in my name.
A poignant question from the audience illuminated why I am still driven to make positive change: “In these divided times, when the other party controls the legislature, how are you able to continue doing your work when the likelihood of success is low?” I cited my favorite shloka from the Bhagavad Gita: Karmanye vaadika raste maa phaleshu kadaa chana: your responsibility is to [take] action, not to [receive] its fruits. When we cannot control results or timing, we simply stay the course and do the right thing.
I need to make a decision whether to run for state House or state Senate in 2022. Running for state Senate would more than double the size of the district (the number of people I represent) and at least double the funds I must raise to run an effective campaign.
Moving to the darker realities of today’s politics, Rep. Steckloff mentioned the death threat she’d received just that week — her first. Many of us in the Democratic Caucus faced such threats during the 2020 election. To prevent further darkness from pervading the event, I refrained from mentioning a threat to “end” or “murder me” and the ongoing identity-based attacks I continue to face. I inevitably mentioned what the new year will bring: I need to decide whether to run for state House or state Senate in 2022. While the Gita sets me on the path of action, do I take further action? Running for state Senate would more than double the size of the district (the number of people I represent) and at least double the funds I must raise to run an effective campaign.
Michigan’s Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission will be drawing new maps to determine Michigan’s state legislative and congressional districts — we finally have an opportunity to end gerrymandering. More candidates will face competitive campaigns where they will have to appeal to independents, Democrats and Republicans in order for voters to give them the opportunity to serve — not primaries that draw people to the extremes on the right or the left. Many Democrats are hoping that we will have an opportunity to finally get a majority in both the 38-member Michigan state Senate and the 110-member state House.
In many other states around the country, Republicans are locking in new maps that would secure their party’s control of state legislatures over the next decade. Michigan’s maps will be finalized by our independent commission — but we have many hoops to go through before the district lines are finalized. A few weeks ago, I was interviewed by a Lansing news agency about my plans and wasn’t able to give them a yes or no answer: the districts aren’t final, my focus is on the work at hand, and I need to search both within myself and the community for an answer. Like my first run for office, I also need to discuss it with my family and a range of supporters and constituents before making a decision. Among the factors to consider: personal safety and broad-based impact.
Events like this provide opportunities to build partnerships. We stand in solidarity to protect pollinators, support civil liberties, and unite against anti-Semitic and anti-Hindu attacks. It was obvious that the evening served its purpose, illuminating differences and divides, but most importantly establishing common ground.
(Top photo, Rep. Padma Kuppa and Rep. Samantha Steckloff)
Padma Kuppa is Democratic State Representative for Michigan’s 41st House District and has been just re-elected for a second term. A mother, an engineer from NIT Warangal, and an automotive and IT professional for over 2 decades, and a civic and interfaith leader for years, she is the first Indian immigrant and Hindu in the Michigan state legislature. You can reach her at padmakuppa@house.mi.gov. Learn more at ElectPadmaKuppa.com or Kuppa.housedems.com.