About Tina Maharath

Although I was born and raised in Ohio, it was not an easy journey to get to where my family is today. During the Secret War in a southeast war-torn country in Asia named Laos, my parents spent years running to and from numerous refugee camps before finally finding the opportunity to flee to The United States for freedom. After years of struggling to find a way to the United States, my parents were finally able to make a life in America for my brothers and sister and me in 1990 and start a new chapter in our life.

During my time in this wonderful country, I have been able to obtain higher education at Ohio University where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Political Science degree and my Master of Arts degree in Law, Justice, and Culture. I also have experience working as an intern for the US Senate, an intern for the Ohio House of Representatives, and a Field Fellow for the Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote), along with various volunteer positions in the community. With my experience, I was more than confident that I was ready to take the next step to run for a seat in Ohio’s state senate and lead the state in the right direction for our next generation. I won my first term in the Ohio Senate in 2018 by 705 votes. I changed history by becoming Ohio’s first Asian American woman elected to the General Assembly.

Unfortunately due to Ohio’s unconstitutional gerrymandered redistricting, my district lines changed causing me to run for re-election in a republican district as a democrat. After my term ended, I moved to North side Minneapolis where I resettled with my husband and two young sons in the thriving Camden neighborhood.

I am asking for your support today in my race for Minnesota Senate, where I can continue to provide this next generation with support at the capitol to effectively succeed.

— Senator Tina Maharath