Thu Nguyen (born 1991 or 1992)[1] is a Vietnamese-born American politician and community organizer who is a member of the Worcester City Council, serving since 2022. Nguyen is the first openly non-binary candidate elected to public office in Massachusetts history.
Thu Nguyen | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Worcester City Council at-large | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2022 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1991 or 1992 (age 32–33) Vietnam |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Clark University (BA) |
| Website | Campaign website |
Early life and education
editNguyen was born in Vietnam. Their father, a veteran who served in the Vietnam War, spent seven years as a prisoner of war, and subsequently sought asylum in Worcester, Massachusetts, where Nguyen, along with their family, immigrated to as refugees when they were one year old. Growing up in poverty while attending Worcester Public Schools, they graduated from Clark University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in studio art and sociology.[2]
Career
editFollowing their graduation from Clark, Nguyen founded a program focusing on helping to ensure that graduating students of Worcester's Claremont Academy could get into college. They are also the projects director for the Southeast Asian Coalition, "an organization that supports small businesses, promoting civic engagement and strengthening communities," and the founder of Worcester Mutual Aid, which, during the COVID-19 pandemic, raised almost $75,000 for struggling families.[2]
On February 4, 2021, Nguyen announced their candidacy for an at-large seat on the Worcester City Council in a statement reading: "We need a Worcester that is safe and strong. As a youth worker, I know that when we invest in our young people with community-based programs, after-school activities, and youth jobs we can prevent violence and make us all safer."[3] They were endorsed by a number of progressive organizations, including #VOTEPROCHOICE.[4] They placed fourth in a field of 10 candidates in the November 2 election; by finishing within the top six, they were elected to the council, becoming its first Southeast Asian member, as well as, according to the LGBTQ Victory Fund, the first non-binary elected official in the history of Massachusetts.[5] Following their victory, when asked about the issues they would prioritize once sworn in, they cited the need to address housing, expressing in particular their opposition to gentrification, and creating a more "honest, transparent and accessible government."[6] They were inaugurated on January 3, 2022.[7]
Electoral history
edit| 2021 Worcester at-large City Council election[8] | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Votes | % |
| Joseph M. Petty (incumbent) | 8,805 | 13.00 |
| Kate Toomey (incumbent) | 7,976 | 11.78 |
| Khrystian E. King (incumbent) | 7,808 | 11.53 |
| Thu Nguyen | 7,374 | 10.89 |
| Morris A. Bergman (incumbent) | 7,344 | 10.84 |
| Donna M. Colorio (incumbent) | 7,285 | 10.76 |
| Matthew E. Wally | 6,664 | 9.84 |
| Bill Coleman | 5,448 | 8.04 |
| Guillermo Creamer Jr. | 5,271 | 7.78 |
| Peter A. Stefan | 3,758 | 5.55 |
| blank votes | 36,223 | |
References
edit- ^ Foskett, Steven H. Jr. (February 20, 2021). "Thu Nguyen looking to make history in Worcester as first nonbinary councilor". Telegram & Gazette. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
- ^ a b Lee, Jiselle (November 4, 2021). "Vietnamese refugee Thu Nguyen makes history as first nonbinary city council member in Massachusetts". NextShark. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
- ^ McNamara, Neal (February 5, 2021). "Thu Nguyen Running As First Nonbinary Worcester Council Candidate". Worcester, MA Patch. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
- ^ "Meet Our 2021 Candidates". #VOTEPROCHOICE. Archived from the original on 14 February 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
- ^ Foskett, Steven H. Jr. (November 3, 2021). "City Council at-large: Thu Nguyen first nonbinary person elected to office in Massachusetts". Telegram & Gazette. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
- ^ Shenoy, Rupa; Guzman, Dan (November 9, 2021). "Worcester community activist on being first openly nonbinary person elected in Mass". WBUR-FM. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
- ^ Bonner, Michael (January 3, 2022). "Worcester's 2022 inauguration highlights most diverse council, school committee in city's history". The Republican. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
- ^ "OFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS MUNICIPAL ELECTION 11/02/2021" (PDF). Worcester, Massachusetts. November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
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