Tupac Amaru Hunter is a member of the Michigan Senate

Michigan Senate

The Michigan Senate is the upper house of the Michigan Legislature. The Senate consists of 38 members, who are elected from constituencies having approximately 212,400 to 263,500 residents....

, representing the 5th District which encompasses northwest Detroit

Detroit, Michigan

Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...

, Dearborn Heights

Dearborn Heights, Michigan

Dearborn Heights is a city in Wayne County, in the Detroit metropolitan area, in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 57,774 at the 2010 census.-History:...

 and Inkster

Inkster, Michigan

Inkster is a city in Wayne County of the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2010 census, the city population was 25,369. It is one of several suburbs in Metro Detroit whose population is majority or plurality African American.- History :...

. He currently serves as the Democratic Floor Leader.

Background

Tupac A. Hunter was born and raised in Detroit. He graduated from the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy

University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy

The University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy, founded in 1877, is one of two Jesuit high schools in the city of Detroit, Michigan...

 in 1991. In 1995, he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Urban Studies and Public Policy from Morehouse College

Morehouse College

Morehouse College is a private, all-male, liberal arts, historically black college located in Atlanta, Georgia. Along with Hampden-Sydney College and Wabash College, Morehouse is one of three remaining traditional men's colleges in the United States....

 in Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...

. He also holds a Master of Public Administration Degree

Master of Public Administration

The Master of Public Administration is a professional post-graduate degree in Public Administration. The MPA program prepares individuals to serve as managers in the executive arm of local, state/provincial, and federal/national government, and increasingly in nongovernmental organization and...

 from Oakland University

Oakland University

Oakland University is a public university co-founded by Matilda Dodge Wilson and John A. Hannah whose campus is located in central Oakland County, Michigan, United States in the cities of Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills. It is the only major research university in Oakland County, from which OU...

.

Political career

In November 2010, Tupac A. Hunter was re-elected to a second term in the Michigan Senate representing the citizens of the 5th District, which comprises northwest Detroit, Dearborn Heights, and Inkster. He was unanimously elected by his colleagues in the Democratic Caucus to serve as the Democratic Floor Leader for the 2011-14 legislative session. He previously served as the Assistant Democratic Leader during his first term in the Michigan Senate (2007–2010). Prior to being elected to the Michigan Senate, he served in the Michigan House of Representatives (2003–2006). He served as the House Democratic Whip (2005–2006) and as the ranking Democrat on the Banking and Financial Services Committee and the Insurance Committee.

Issues

Senator Hunter's legislative interests cover banking and financial services, consumer protection, criminal justice, economic development, education, ethics in government, and health care insurance reform. His legislative agenda has produced 25 Public Acts and one constitutional amendment

Michigan Constitution

The Constitution of the State of Michigan is the governing document of the U.S. state of Michigan. It describes the structure and function of the state's government....

 to date. Specifically, he has authored legislation to encourage financial literacy and fair lending practices; fought for the passage of Michigan's law mandating smoke-free workplaces; and has authored legislation relating to children's health, including legislation that would require insurance companies to cover treatments for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Honors & Recognition

• Michigan Association of State and Federal Program Specialists Roberta Stanley Legislative Award (2010)
• Autism Insurance for Michigan Coalition Legislative Champion Award (2010)
• American Heart Association Heart Champion Award (2010)
• Hearing Loss Association of Michigan Legislator of the Year Award (2009)
• Michigan Deaf Association Legislator of the Year Award (2009)
• Michigan Children’s Trust Fund Seasoned Advocate Award (2008)
• Michigan Credit Union League Legislator of the Year Award (2007)
• Who’s Who in Black Detroit Honoree (2006–2010)

Electoral History

External links

• Senator Tupac A. Hunter official government website
• Project Vote Smart - Senator Tupac A. Hunter (MI) profile
• Follow the Money - Tupac A. Hunter
  • 2006 2004 2002
• Michigan Senate Democratic Caucus
• Michigan Liberal - SD05