KANSAS (TIP): Indian American incumbent Usha Reddi has filed papers to run for the Kansas State Senate from the state’s 22nd district. The Democrat has been serving in the senate since January after the previous occupant of the seat, Tom Hawk, retired from the legislature. Her term is set to expire in January 2025.
A public-school teacher, Reddi previously served on the Manhattan City Commission in Kansas for 10 years.
On Wednesday afternoon, she announced her candidacy on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Just filed as a candidate for the Kansas State Senate in the 2024 election! Public service is a significant part of my life, and I am dedicated to continuing to work for the people as your State Senator!”
On her campaign website, Reddi explains why she’s running: “I served as the Mayor in 2016-2017 and in 2020 and worked closely with Kansas State University, Fort Riley, Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, Manhattan-Ogden USD383, and social service organizations in the community to ensure economic vitality and the well-being of residents. Public service is the will to listen and hear from individuals who will feel the most impact on the ground from laws voted on in Topeka.”
Reddi’s family arrived in Columbus, OH, from Andhra Pradesh, India in 1973. She holds a master’s in educational leadership from Kansas State University and two bachelor’s degrees: one in Developmental Psychology from Ohio State University and another in Elementary Education from Kansas State.
The newly redistricted 22nd district is located in Riley County.
Reddi, a naturalized American, is married to Brian Neuhoff. She has three children from a previous marriage.
In January, she was nominated to the senate her party’s precinct chairs ahead of the country Party Chair Katie Allen.