Shri Thanedar

Shri Thanedar
Official portrait, 2025
Shri Thanedar
Born	22 2, 1955
Birthplace	Chikkodi, Mysore State (now Karnataka, India)
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, businessman, author
Known for	U.S. Representative from Michigan's 13th congressional district; founder of Avomeen Analytical Services
Education	University of Akron (PhD)
Children	2
Website	[thanedar.house.gov Official site]

Shri Thanedar (Template:IPAc-en; born February 22, 1955) is an American businessman, author, and politician serving as the U.S. Representative from Michigan's 13th congressional district since January 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, Thanedar previously served in the Michigan House of Representatives, representing the 3rd district from 2021 to 2023. Born in the small town of Chikkodi in what is now Karnataka, India, Thanedar immigrated to the United States with limited financial resources and built a career in analytical chemistry, eventually founding and leading multiple companies before transitioning into public life. He was a candidate in the Democratic primary for Governor of Michigan in 2018, an unsuccessful bid that nonetheless raised his political profile in the state. In Congress, Thanedar has served on the Committee on Homeland Security and has drawn attention for introducing impeachment articles against several members of the executive branch. His biography, which spans a journey from poverty in rural India to the halls of Congress, has been a recurring theme in his public narrative and campaign messaging.

Early Life

Shri Thanedar was born on February 22, 1955, in Chikkodi, a town in the Belgaum district of what was then Mysore State (now the state of Karnataka) in India. He grew up in modest circumstances. According to his autobiographical account, The Blue Suitcase, Thanedar's early life in India was marked by financial hardship, and he has frequently described his upbringing as one shaped by poverty.

Thanedar immigrated to the United States to pursue advanced education and professional opportunities. He has described arriving in the country with very little money, a narrative that became central to his later political campaigns and public identity. After settling in the United States, Thanedar pursued graduate studies and eventually became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1988.

Education

Thanedar earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Karnatak University in India. He subsequently obtained a Master of Science degree from the University of Mumbai (then the University of Bombay). After immigrating to the United States, he pursued doctoral studies in chemistry at the University of Akron in Ohio, where he earned a PhD. His advanced training in analytical chemistry formed the foundation for his subsequent career in the chemical testing and analytical services industry.

Career

Business Career

Following the completion of his doctoral studies, Thanedar built a career in the analytical chemistry and chemical testing industry. He held positions in the field before founding his own ventures. His business career spanned several decades and included both significant successes and notable setbacks.

Chemir/Polytech Laboratories

Thanedar founded Chemir/Polytech Laboratories, a chemical testing company based in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The company grew substantially under his leadership, and by the mid-2000s, it had become one of the notable analytical testing firms in the region. Thanedar was recognized by Ernst & Young in its Excellence newsletter in 2007 for his entrepreneurial achievements.

However, the company later faced financial difficulties. Chemir/Polytech Laboratories was auctioned off in 2011 for $2.3 million, a fraction of its earlier valuation, following business reversals that were described in local media as a cautionary tale about entrepreneurial risk. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch profiled Thanedar's financial reversal, describing the story of an immigrant millionaire whose fortunes had changed dramatically.

Avomeen Analytical Services

After the loss of Chemir/Polytech, Thanedar relocated to the Ann Arbor area and founded Avomeen Analytical Services, a new chemical testing and analytical services company. Crain's Detroit Business profiled Thanedar in 2013, describing him as having come out of retirement to build a new business venture. Avomeen grew rapidly and was recognized by Inc. magazine as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States.

In late 2016, a private equity firm purchased a controlling interest in Avomeen, a transaction that represented a significant financial milestone for Thanedar. Shortly thereafter, Thanedar announced a plan to deliver $15 million in economic development to the Ann Arbor area, a pledge reported by MLive.

Animal Testing Controversy

During his later political campaigns, Thanedar faced scrutiny over his involvement with Aniclin, a previous business venture that conducted animal testing. The Detroit Free Press reported in 2018 that beagles had been abandoned at the shuttered Aniclin testing lab in 2010. Thanedar denied personal responsibility for the abandonment of the animals. The incident became a topic of discussion during his gubernatorial campaign.

Fraud Allegations

In December 2017, the Detroit News reported on a fraud lawsuit related to Thanedar's business dealings. Thanedar responded to the allegations, describing them as false. The lawsuit and associated coverage drew attention during the 2018 gubernatorial primary campaign.

Author

Thanedar authored The Blue Suitcase, an autobiographical work recounting his journey from India to the United States and his experiences building businesses in America. The book was published in connection with his public career and is available through his campaign website.

Political Career

2018 Gubernatorial Campaign

In June 2017, Thanedar announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Michigan in the 2018 election. Crain's Detroit Business described him as an Ann Arbor businessman entering the gubernatorial race. His first campaign advertisement, which aired in December 2017, emphasized his background in science and business.

During the campaign, Thanedar's political history drew scrutiny. MLive reported in November 2017 that Thanedar had previously registered as a Republican and had made political contributions to Republican candidates, a fact that became a point of contention in the Democratic primary.

Thanedar ultimately lost the Democratic primary. The official results of the August 7, 2018 primary election were reported by both the City of Detroit and the Michigan Secretary of State. Gretchen Whitmer won the Democratic nomination and went on to win the general election.

Michigan House of Representatives

After his unsuccessful gubernatorial bid, Thanedar ran for the Michigan House of Representatives. He was elected to represent the 3rd district in 2020, succeeding Wendell Byrd. He served in the state legislature from January 1, 2021, to January 1, 2023. During this period, Thanedar was associated with the Democratic Socialists of America, though he later distanced himself from the organization.

U.S. House of Representatives

Thanedar ran for and won election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022, representing Michigan's 13th congressional district. He took office on January 3, 2023, succeeding Rashida Tlaib, whose district had been redrawn through redistricting. In Congress, Thanedar has served on the Committee on Homeland Security, where he has held the position of Ranking Member.

Legislative Actions and Positions

In Congress, Thanedar has been an outspoken critic of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In early 2026, he introduced the Abolish ICE Act, legislation that would dismantle the agency. His office stated that the bill reflected concerns about the agency's operations and direction. He also organized a petition opposing the construction of a proposed ICE detention facility in Romulus, Michigan, within his congressional district.

As Ranking Member on the Committee on Homeland Security, Thanedar demanded that Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and the directors of ICE and CBP testify before the committee following reports of ICE killings in Minnesota.

Impeachment Efforts

Thanedar has introduced articles of impeachment against multiple members of the executive branch. In December 2025, he introduced two articles of impeachment (H.Res.935) against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, citing allegations of murder and other charges.

In early 2026, Thanedar announced he would introduce articles of impeachment against Attorney General Pam Bondi. CBS News reported on the announcement, and Thanedar's office issued a press release detailing the rationale for the impeachment effort.

Personal Life

Thanedar has two children. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1988, having previously held Indian citizenship from birth. He has resided in the Ann Arbor and Detroit metropolitan areas for much of his American life. His autobiography, The Blue Suitcase, recounts his personal journey from India to the United States and his experiences as an immigrant entrepreneur.

Thanedar was previously associated with the Democratic Socialists of America but severed ties with the organization before 2023 when he entered Congress. He has identified as a member of the Democratic Party throughout his congressional tenure.

Recognition

Thanedar received recognition from Ernst & Young in 2007 for his entrepreneurial work with Chemir/Polytech Laboratories, being profiled in the firm's Excellence newsletter. His company Avomeen Analytical Services was named to the Inc. list of fastest-growing private companies in the United States.

In Congress, Thanedar rose to the position of Ranking Member on the House Committee on Homeland Security, a significant committee assignment that has given him a platform on immigration and national security policy.