LANSING — Today, House Democratic Whip Darrin Camilleri (D-Brownstown Township) announced the assistant democratic whips for Michigan’s 100th Legislature. Serving during the 2019-2020 session will be state Reps. John Cherry (D-Flint Township), Kevin Coleman (D-Westland), Padma Kuppa (D-Troy) and Mari Manoogian (D-Birmingham).
“This leadership team reflects the new face and energy of the House Democrats, who remain committed to fighting for the wages and benefits of working families across the state, a world-class education for every Michigander, and the safe roads we need to drive on,” Rep. Camilleri said. “I’m looking forward to working with this team to ensure that the priorities of everyday Michiganders are the focus of the work that’s done in the House.”
State Rep. Mari Manoogian is serving her first term representing the 40th House District. At 26, Rep. Manoogian is the youngest woman serving in the 100th Legislature and the first Armenian-American woman to serve in the Michigan House of Representatives. Before joining the Legislature, she worked as a public servant at the federal level. Rep. Manoogian earned both a bachelors and a master’s degree from the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University.
State Rep. Padma Kuppa is serving her first term representing the 41st House District. Rep. Kuppa came to the U.S. from India at the age of four and grew up in America before returning to India as a teenager to earn her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the National Institute of Technology Warangal. Rep. Kuppa moved to the 41st House District more than 20 years ago, working as an engineer and project manager in a career spanning the automotive, financial and IT industries. Rep. Kuppa is the first Indian immigrant and Hindu to serve in Michigan’s state Legislature.
State Rep. John Cherry is serving his first term representing the 49th House District. Before joining the Legislature, Rep. Cherry worked for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources before starting a small business in the district with his wife, Teresa, and previously served as vice chair of the Flint Charter Commission. Rep. Cherry earned both his bachelor’s degree in natural resources and environment and his master’s of public policy from the University of Michigan.
State Rep. Kevin Coleman is serving his first term representing the 16th House District. Before seeking state-level public office, Rep. Coleman was very active in local politics and served as a member of the Westland City Council. He also spent several years working in his community on the Westland Festival Committee and the Westland Veterans Association. He is a graduate of Western Michigan University.
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