This month in Massachusetts, several Chinese American politicians won election in Newton, Brookline and other posts around the region, making strides in increasing Asian American representation in the area: Asian-Americans notch wins in municipal elections.
In Newton, Greer Tan Swiston as elected to the Board of Aldermen in Ward 3, and Alderwoman at Large Amy Mah Sangiolo was re-elected in Ward 4. Donald H. Wong was elected to Saugus Board of Selectman, and then named chairman by the board, and Lisa Wong was elected mayor of Fitchburg. Other Asian Americans to win office include Brookline School Committee member Ira Chan and former Brookline School Committee member Terry Kwan.
But wait, the list of Asian Americans in office goes on. There's Sam Yoon, re-elected to a second term on the Boston City Council; Rithy Uong, who served on the Lowell City Council; Dean Tran, who just won a second term on the Fitchburg City Council; Lexington School Committee member Ravi K. Sakhuja; and Norfolk Selectman Ramesh Advani. Hopefully, this is only the beginning for Asian Americans in politics, local and beyond. Civic participation, my friends. It's an amazing thing.
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