Sabi Kumar

Current office and 2026 campaign

Sabi "Doc" Kumar is a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 66, which he has held since assuming office in January 2015 ¹². His current term concludes on November 3, 2026 ¹. A retired surgeon and the first Indian-American to serve in the Tennessee House, Kumar resides in Springfield, Tennessee ²¹⁰.

Kumar is seeking re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 66 in the upcoming 2026 cycle ¹. He is scheduled to appear on the ballot for the Republican primary election set for August 6, 2026 ¹. As an incumbent, he has previously won general elections for this district, including a victory in 2016 where he received 73.7% of the vote ⁹.

Background and education

Sabi "Doc" Kumar was born on July 14, 1947 ²⁸. He is an Indian-American who has resided in Springfield, Tennessee, for many years ¹⁰. Kumar practices the Methodist religion ³.

Kumar earned his medical degree from Medical College in Amritsar, India ³. He completed a surgical residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami, Florida, between 1971 and 1976 ³. Professionally, he is a retired surgeon ².

Career

Sabi "Doc" Kumar is a retired surgeon and politician who has served as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives from District 66 since January 13, 2015 ². Prior to his legislative career, he practiced medicine in Springfield, Tennessee, for 37 years ¹⁰. He earned his medical degree (MBBS) from Medical College in Amritsar, India, and completed a surgical residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami, Florida, between 1971 and 1976 ³.

Kumar is recognized as the first Indian-American to serve in the Tennessee House of Representatives ¹⁰. In recognition of his professional background and advocacy for healthcare providers, the Tennessee Hospital Association honored him as a 2022 Hospital Hero for his work on behalf of hospitals in the state ⁴. He self-describes as a surgeon who has lived in Springfield for decades before entering politics ¹⁰.

Office history

Sabi "Doc" Kumar first entered elected office in 2014 when he was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 66 ¹. As a retired surgeon and the first Indian-American to serve in the Tennessee House, he assumed office on January 13, 2015, succeeding Joshua Evans ². He has represented this district continuously since that date ³.

Kumar’s legislative career includes service on several key committees. During the 2023-2024 session, he was assigned to the Calendar and Rules Committee, the Senate Government Operations Committee, and the Health and Insurance Committees ¹. His work in these areas contributed to his recognition as a 2022 Hospital Hero by the Tennessee Hospital Association for his dedication to policy issues affecting hospitals and public health ⁴.

In addition to his successful runs for the state house, Kumar has faced electoral challenges. He ran for the Tennessee State House of Representatives in District 66 in 2014, winning the Republican primary and subsequently the general election after his Democratic opponent withdrew ¹⁰. However, sources indicate he also ran as a candidate for this seat in a prior cycle that resulted in a loss, though specific details of that earlier defeat are not fully detailed in the provided records beyond listing it among his candidacy history ³.

He won re-election in 2016, defeating Democrat Larry Proffitt with 73.7% of the vote in District 66 ⁹. Kumar is currently serving a term that ends on November 3, 2026 ¹. He is running for re-election to represent District 66 and appears on the ballot for the Republican primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 ¹.

Legislative record and accomplishments

Sabi "Doc" Kumar has served in the Tennessee House of Representatives since assuming office on January 13, 2015 ². He represents District 66, which includes Springfield, Tennessee ³. As a member of the Republican Party, he is the first Indian-American to serve in the Tennessee House of Representatives ¹⁰.

During the 2023-2024 legislative session, Kumar was assigned to the Calendar and Rules Committee, the Senate Government Operations Committee, the Health Committee, and the Insurance Committee ¹. His committee assignments reflect his background as a retired surgeon and his focus on healthcare policy ². In 2022, the Tennessee Hospital Association honored him as a "Hospital Hero" for his dedication to issues contributing to the health and wellness of Tennesseans through support for hospitals ⁴.

Kumar’s legislative record includes notable involvement in gun control debates. He voted to expel Representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson from the House in April 2023 after they staged a protest on the floor demanding strict gun-control laws, including an assault weapon ban ⁷. Following the expulsions, Kumar accused Representative Justin Pearson of hurling a racial slur at him during the incident ⁷.

Regarding economic policy, Kumar has proposed expanding Medicaid and implementing mandatory payroll deductions for savings. He stated that these proposals were misrepresented in media coverage as "outlandish" and "overblown," clarifying his constituents' views on the matter ¹¹.

Documented disputes and controversies

In April 2023, Rep. Kumar accused Representative Justin Pearson, one of two Democratic lawmakers expelled from the House for staging a protest demanding strict gun-control laws, of hurling a racial slur at him ⁷. Kumar made these allegations on Fox News’ “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” stating that he had not experienced racism in America for 53 years prior to this incident ⁷. The expulsions of Representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson occurred on April 6, 2023, following their demonstration calling for an assault weapon ban ⁷.

Kumar’s legislative record includes support for controversial policy measures that drew public commentary. He voted to expel two African American legislators from the statehouse during a rally against weak gun laws, a move described by commentators as predictable given the Republican supermajority ⁵. Additionally, Kumar faced criticism regarding his proposals to expand Medicaid and make savings payroll deductions mandatory; he stated that coverage of these proposals was “outlandish” and “overblown” ¹¹.

Kumar has been recognized for his work on health policy issues, though this recognition is distinct from political disputes. The Tennessee Hospital Association honored him as a 2022 Hospital Hero for his dedication to hospitals in Tennessee and support for patient safety and public health ⁴. He serves as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 66, a seat he has held since assuming office in January 2015 ².

Business interests and wealth source

Sabi "Doc" Kumar is a retired surgeon who has served in Springfield for 37 years ¹⁰. He earned his medical degree from Medical College in Amritsar, India, and completed surgical residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami, Florida, between 1971 and 1976 ³. Kumar self-describes as a physician and politician, noting his background as the first Indian-American member of the Tennessee House of Representatives ²¹⁰.

Specific details regarding his business ownership stakes, sales of businesses, or family wealth sources are not provided in the available records. While LegiStorm tracks personal financial disclosures for legislators ⁶, the specific contents of Kumar’s financial reports are not detailed in the provided sources. Voters seeking detailed asset information would need to consult the official state financial disclosure filings directly, as these documents are not summarized in the current reference material.

Family

Kumar is married to Linda and has one child ²³. His family resides in Springfield, Tennessee ³. No other family members are noted as public figures or holding political office in available records.

Sources