Amar Kaleka
| Amar Kaleka | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Amardeep Kaleka | |
| Democratic candidate for Wisconsin's 1st congressional district in the United States House of Representatives | |
| Election date August 12, 2014 (Democratic primary) | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 12, 1978 Patiala, Punjab, India |
| Nationality | Indian American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | 2 |
| Occupation | Filmmaker |
| Religion | Sikhism |
| Website | www.votekaleka.com |
Amardeep Singh Kaleka (born July 12, 1978) is an Indian-American film director. He won an Emmy Award for his direction of the short film Jacob's Turn in 2010. Following his father's death in the Wisconsin Sikh temple shooting in 2012, Kaleka became involved in politics, supporting gun control. He is running for the United States House of Representatives in Wisconsin's 1st congressional district, currently represented by Paul Ryan.
Early life
Kaleka was born in Patiala, Punjab, India. His family came to the United States when he was a child.[1] Kaleka attended Bay View High School in the Bay View neighborhood of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, graduating in 1996. While he attended Bay View, he played for the school's baseball team as a pitcher.[2]
Film career
Kaleka co-directed the horror film Baby Blues in 2008. He began directing documentary films. With co-director Nick Nanton, Kaleka won an Ohio Valley Regional Emmy Award for Director Post Production in 2010 for their direction of the short film Jacob's Turn, about a four-year-old with Down syndrome who plays Tee Ball for the first time.[3][4] He directed Sirius in 2013, a film concerning extraterrestrial life and UFO's.[5]
Wisconsin Sikh temple shooting
Kaleka's father, Satwant Kaleka Singh, was president and founder of the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, located in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. On August 5, 2012, Kaleka's father and five others were killed in a mass shooting at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin.[6] In the aftermath of the shooting, Kaleka became interested in politics, supporting gun control and new legislation to reduce hate crimes.[7] Kaleka criticized President Barack Obama, who visited the sites of other mass shootings, but not the Sikh Temple.[3]
As a member of the Democratic Party, Kaleka is running for the United States House of Representatives in Wisconsin's 1st congressional district in the 2014 election, challenging incumbent Paul Ryan.[7] He is running against Rob Zerban, who lost to Ryan in the 2012 elections, in the Democratic primary.
Personal life
Kaleka and his wife have two sons. Sahib was born in 2010.[1] They welcomed a second son, Aaris Singh Kaleka, on May 29, 2014.[8]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Kaleka Formally Announces Congressional Bid Against Ryan". India West. November 5, 2013. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
- ↑ Shinners, Joe (May 19, 1996). "Bay View's Kaleka stays undefeated". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved October 30, 2013. (subscription required)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Ramde, Dinesh (October 14, 2013). "Son of slain Sikh to challenge Ryan". Journaltimes.com. Associated Press. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
- ↑ Guzman, Daniela (August 4, 2011). "UF alum wins Emmy for seven-minute short film". The Independent Florida Alligator. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
- ↑ "Sirius Film Feat. Dr. Steven Greer By Emmy Winning Amardeep Kaleka Opens April 22". Prweb.com. April 3, 2013. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
- ↑ "Son of president, founder of temple killed says father was a hero". FOX6Now.com. August 6, 2012. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Schaaf, Mark (October 14, 2013). "Son of Slain Sikh Temple President to Challenge Paul Ryan - Government - Oak Creek, WI Patch". Oakcreek.patch.com. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/AmarKaleka