| Usha Reddi | |
| State Senate: | Kansas |
| District: | 22nd |
| Term Start: | January 11, 2023 |
| Predecessor: | Tom Hawk |
| Birth Name: | Usha Reddi |
| Birth Date: | 1965 |
| Birth Place: | Rajahmundry, India |
| Party: | Democratic |
| Spouse: | Brian Niehoff[1] |
| Children: | 3 |
| Residence: | Manhattan, Kansas, U.S. |
| Alma Mater: | Ohio State University |
| Profession: | Educator (retired) |
Usha L. Reddi (born 1965)[2] is an American politician and educator who is currently serving as a Democratic member of the Kansas Senate for the 22nd district.[3] She has also served as a city commissioner and mayor for the city of Manhattan, Kansas from 2013 to 2023.
Reddi was a long-time educator in Manhattan-Ogden public schools, where she served a term as President of their National Education Association chapter. In 2012, she ran for Manhattan city commission, coming in second place (after Karen McCulloh) with 17.47% of the vote. [4]
In 2020, Reddi unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, seeking to become the first Indian-American Senator from Kansas.[5] Following Senator Tom Hawk's resignation, Reddi was elected to the Kansas Senate by the Democratic precinct chairs in the district. She was chosen over Riley County Democratic Party Chair Katie Allen by a vote of 23 to 19.[6] [7]
Reddi holds two bachelor's degrees, one in developmental psychology from the Ohio State University and the other in elementary education from Kansas State University. She also holds a master's degree in educational leadership from Kansas State University. She immigrated to the U.S. in 1973 and moved to Manhattan in 1992.[8]