Tupac Amaru Hunter (born July 25, 1973) is an American politician who is a former member of the

Michigan Senate The Michigan Senate is the upper house of the Michigan Legislature. Along with the Michigan House of Representatives, it composes the state legislature, which has powers, roles and duties defined by Article IV of the Michigan Constitution, ado ...

, representing the

5th district District 5, 5 District or 5th District may refer to: Europe * District 5 (Zürich) * District 5, Düsseldorf * V District, Turku * Districts of Malta#District 5, District 5, an electoral district of Malta * Districts of Malta#District 5 2, Distric ...

which encompasses northwest

Detroit Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...

Dearborn Heights Dearborn Heights is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. An inner-ring suburb of Detroit, Dearborn Heights is located about west of downtown Detroit. The city shares a small border with Detroit, and is considered a bedroom c ...

and Inkster. He served as the Minority Floor Leader.

Background

Tupac A. Hunter was born and raised in Detroit. He graduated from the

University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy The University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy was founded in 1877, and is one of two Society of Jesus, Jesuit high schools in the city of Detroit, Detroit, Michigan, the other being Loyola High School (Detroit, Michigan), Loyola High Sc ...

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

Morehouse College Morehouse College is a Private college, private, Historically black colleges and universities, historically black, Men's colleges in the United States, men's Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college in Atlanta, Georgia, ...

Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Georgia (U.S. state), most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. It is the county seat, seat of Fulton County, Georg ...

. He also holds a Master of Public Administration Degree from

Oakland University Oakland University (OU or Oakland) is a public university, public research university in Auburn Hills, Michigan, Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1957 through a donation of Matilda Dodge Wilson and husband ...

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.Michigan 2010 legislative election results
/ref> He was unanimously elected by his colleagues to serve as the Minority Floor Leader for the 2011-14 legislative session. He previously served as the Assistant Minority 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) where he was the Minority Whip (2005–2006).

Issues

Senator Hunter's legislative interests covered banking and financial services, consumer protection, criminal justice, economic development, education, ethics in government, and health care insurance reform. His legislative agenda has produced 27 Public Acts and one

constitutional amendment A constitutional amendment (or constitutional alteration) is a modification of the constitution of a polity, organization or other type of entity. Amendments are often interwoven into the relevant sections of an existing constitution, directly alt ...

Michiganders vote yes on felon law, no on ConCon
/ref> to date. He sponsored legislation to encourage financial literacy and fair lending practices; fought for the passage of Michigan's law mandating smoke-free workplaces; and advocated for policies relating to children's health, including legislation that would require insurance companies to cover treatments for children with

autism spectrum disorder Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by differences or difficulties in social communication and interaction, a preference for predictability and routine, sensory processing di ...

s.Michigan Legislature legislation search, 2009-2010
/ref>

Honors and recognition

*The Michigan Chronicle 40 Under 40 Honoree (2013) *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

References

External links

Senator Tupac A. Hunter
- official government website
Project Vote Smart - Senator Tupac A. Hunter (MI)
profile *''Follow the Money'' - Tupac A. Hunter
200620042002Michigan Senate Democratic CaucusMichigan Liberal - SD05
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hunter, Tupac A. 1973 births African-American state legislators in Michigan Autism activists Living people Túpac Amaru as reference Members of the Michigan House of Representatives Michigan state senators Oakland University alumni University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy alumni 21st-century African-American politicians 20th-century African-American people 21st-century members of the Michigan Legislature