Nima Kulkarni

Nima Kulkarni is an American immigration attorney[2] and a Democratic member of the Kentucky House of Representatives representing District 40 since January 2019. In 2018, Kulkarni defeated incumbent Dennis Horlander in the Democratic Primary.[3][4] She went on to win the general election.[5] Kulkarni is the first Indian-American elected as a state representative in Kentucky.[6]

Nima Kulkarni
Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives
from the 40th[1] district
Assumed office
January 1, 2019
Preceded byDennis Horlander
Personal details
NationalityAmerican
Political partyDemocratic
ResidenceLouisville, Kentucky
EducationUniversity of Louisville (BA, MBA)
University of the District of Columbia (JD)
Websitehttps://www.votenima.com/

Early life and education

Kulkarni was born in India and moved to the United States at the age of six. Her parents, Suhas and Surekha, sought to provide better educational opportunities for their two children, Nima and Nikhil.[7] Kulkarni was educated in the Jefferson County Public School system.[7] She received her bachelor's degree in English Literature at the University of Louisville, where she later earned her Master's of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship as well.[8] She earned her Juris Doctor at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law.[8]

Kulkarni founded the Indus Law Firm in 2010 which specializes in immigration and employment law. In 2013, the firm was honored by Business First in its 40 Under 40 List.[9][5]

Additionally, Kulkarni is the founder of the New Americans Initiative, a nonprofit operating in Louisville, which seeks to educate and assist Kentucky's immigrant population.[5]

Political career

Kulkarni first campaigned to represent Kentucky's District 40 in the Kentucky House of Representatives in 2018. Her platform focused on raising the minimum wage, stimulating the economy while maintaining employee pensions, improving immigration policies, supporting the education system, and providing healthcare to all Kentuckians.[5] She defeated the incumbent challenger, Dennis Horlander, in the Democratic primaries and went on to secure the elected position.

While in office, Kulkarni has sponsored legislation related to higher wages, improving healthcare coverage, police reform, and education.[10] She also proposed a bill in 2020 with the goal of providing improved protections to victims of domestic or sexual assault.[11]

Electoral history
Kentucky State Representative 40th Representative District Democratic Party Primary Election (2018)
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Nima Kulkarni 1,642 46.59
Democratic Dennis L. Horlander 894 25.37
Democratic Logan Gatti 541 15.35
Democratic Kelly Gibson 447 12.68
Total votes 3,524 100.0
Turnout  
Kentucky State Representative 40th Representative District Democratic Party General Election (2018)
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Nima Kulkarni 8,619 74.15
Republican Joshua Neubert 3,004 25.85
Write-In Richard Ramirez 0 0
Total votes 11,623 100.0
Turnout  
Democratic hold
Kentucky State Representative 40th Representative District Democratic Party Primary Election (2020)
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Nima Kulkarni (incumbent) 5,632 78.55
Democratic Dennis L. Horlander 1,538 21.45
Total votes 7,170 100.0
Turnout  
Kentucky State Representative 40th Representative District Democratic Party General Election (2020)
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Nima Kulkarni (incumbent) 12,446 100.00
Total votes 12,446 100.00
Turnout  
Democratic hold

References
  1. "Representative Nima Kulkarni (D)". Frankfort, Kentucky: Kentucky House of Representatives. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  2. Kulkarni, Nima (23 January 2020). "All of Kentucky will suffer if Senate's top priority immigration bill is enacted". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  3. "Longtime state Rep. Horlander ousted in Democratic primary". WDRB. 22 May 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  4. "Quick facts about Nima Kulkarni, Kentucky House District 40 Democratic nominee". The American Bazaar. 25 May 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  5. Reporter, India-West Staff. "After Ousting Incumbent in Primary, Indian American Attorney Nima Kulkarni Primed to Win Kentucky House Seat". India West. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  6. "Kentucky elects first Indian-American Nima Kulkarni as state representative". whas11.com. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  7. "Nima Kulkarni". Emerge Kentucky. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  8. "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  9. "Forty Under 40 2013". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  10. "Rep. Kulkarni, Nima Sponsored Bills". apps.legislature.ky.gov. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  11. Today, TOM LATEK Kentucky (31 October 2020). "Bill proposed to help victims of domestic violence". The Times-Tribune.com. Retrieved 26 April 2021.


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