Q&A: Meet Democratic House Minority Leader Elect Ranjeev Puri and his plans for 2025

Democratic state Rep. Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton) will serve as minority leader in the state House of Representatives when Republicans take majority control of the chamber in 2025.

MICHIGAN—Democratic state lawmakers in the Michigan House of Representatives have selected a new slate of leadership to help them navigate next year’s legislative session as they prepare to lose their majority control to Republicans following this year’s elections.

Republican lawmakers picked state Rep. Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) to take the gavel from House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit), who opted against seeking a leadership position in 2025. 

In his place, Democratic state lawmakers this month picked state Rep. Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton) to serve as the new House minority leader for next year’s legislative session.

In an exclusive interview with The ‘Gander, Puri shared his thoughts on several significant pieces of legislation from the last two years—as well as offered some insights into how Democratic state lawmakers plan to keep making progress amid the shift in political control.

The following interview has been edited for clarity and brevity:

What do you view as the biggest legislative victories over the last two years?

We took on a lot. This was the first time we had a Democratic trifecta in nearly 40 years—so there was an immense amount of responsibilities and priorities that we wanted to get done. We came out of the gates firing on all cylinders and got a tremendous amount of legislation passed.

I was particularly excited about the work I was able to put in on passing common-sense gun reform here in Michigan, as well as some of the work I did on clean energy. I also voted alongside my colleagues on so much—restoring reproductive rights, getting rid of the pension tax, legislation repealing right-to-work. As the House majority whip, I had a front row seat in shepherding a number of those pieces of legislation through. And we’re not done yet. 

Any particular bills you’d like to see passed this year?

There’s still a few weeks left of this term and there’s a whole bunch of things that I have my eyes on right now. I don’t really know what will bubble out of committee to the floor just yet.

What lessons will you carry forward into this new leadership role?

Things move very rapidly in Lansing. Having served in both the minority and the majority, there’s a tremendous amount of perspective that I will take with me as I transition into this role.

Obviously, things are nicer in the majority. The role of being in the minority is much more vocal and focused on messaging against the majority party. But I do look forward to this new role. 

We still have a Democratic governor and Democratic-controlled state Senate in Michigan. So, I look forward to extending my hand across the aisle to get pragmatic legislation through the House, which will go on to improve the lives of everyday Michiganders all across the state.

What’s your strategy for working with Republicans in 2025?

Anything that we pass out of the Michigan House still needs to clear the approval of a Democratic-controlled Michigan Senate and get the signature of a Democratic governor.

So, we are going to be offered a choice next year: Do we want pragmatic legislation passed out of the Michigan House, which actually has a chance to ultimately make it into law in Michigan? Or is the majority party going to be using this as a tool for messaging and obstruction?

I am willing and able to play a role in reaching across the aisle to find pragmatic solutions to improve the quality of life for Michiganders. I know our caucus will still be laser-focused on making sure that all of our members are ready and able to serve the needs of the nearly 100,000 people that elected them to be their voice in Lansing, which is first and foremost. 

How do you stay motivated?

We can’t give up hope. We have elections every two years in the Michigan House. Regardless of what happens, you always get another shot in two years. We have members who have only served in the majority, and I think that perspective of serving the minority next year will be a learning experience and motivation enough to want to recapture the majority in 2026.

What’s your message to Michiganders who feel defeated?

I know that there’s a lot of opinions out there on what could have been. But we can’t lose hope because everything is up for election again in 2026. It’s really important that we stand up, unified, wipe the dust off, and get ready to put our strongest foot forward to make sure that we are recapturing the gavels both at the House, Senate, and the gubernatorial level in 2026.

The pendulum swings and tends to over-correct from election to election. Sometimes there can be disengagement when elections don’t go your way. There was an unforeseen red wave that some of the best political pundits across the country did not foresee, and that just shows you just how unpredictable the nature of politics is. And so it’s very important not to give up hope. 

The world of politics is something that takes a sustained approach. If you want to be good at it, it’s important to build relationships, evaluate your messaging, and retool for the next election.

Some elections just don’t go your way. But that does not mean that you give up. I think it’s very important that you actually do the opposite. When you are knocked down, when your teeth get knocked out, you find a way to collectively rise up together, dust yourself off, retool, and put your strongest foot forward to make sure that you are obtaining the results that you want.

Lightning Round

Best Michigan-made meal or snack?

Plain Better Made potato chips. 

Best piece of advice that you’ve ever received?

It was instilled at me at a young age to be true to your values. As I take on bigger and bigger challenges, that is something that can often be really hard. But I think it’s important that you do take the time to remember why you’re doing what you’re doing in the first place. 

Name a leader that you admire.

Former President Barack Obama. I got my political start with Barack Obama. I saw him take votes and lead initiatives that were maybe unpopular politically, but he knew that he was doing them for the right reasons. That’s something that’s always stuck with me.

One thing you always carry with you in Lansing?

My cell phone, but I guess that’s generic. I always have some mints with me.

If you weren’t in politics, what would you be doing to earn a living?

My dream has always been to operate a bed and breakfast in a resort town. That’s more of a pipe dream. But I am coming from the corporate sector and I have an MBA, so I would probably be running my own business.

Favorite place to visit or spend a weekend in Michigan?

South Haven has become a family favorite. It’s a quick day trip from Wayne County. We go out there to celebrate birthdays or to enjoy some beach days as a family over the summer.

What’s your go-to strategy for relaxing after a long legislative day?

Relaxing to me is honestly just sharing a meal with those that are close to me. Sometimes it’s colleagues. Sometimes it’s family. But I do enjoy having a nice meal, maybe with a drink or two—a nice glass of wine with some friends and family.

READ MORE: Michigan Republicans win majority in state House 

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