Things aren't looking good for Madison Nguyen. The 34-year-old San Jose Councilwoman is embroiled in a heated battle to beat a serious recall effort against her: Race to oust San Jose Councilwoman Madison Nguyen heats up.
The push to recall Nguyen, San Jose's first Vietnamese American council member, stems largely from last year's epic debate over the renaming of a stretch of Story Road. While there was strong support in the Vietnamese community for "Little Saigon," Nguyen persisted with her choice to name the shopping area "Saigon Business District." The result? A rebellion of sorts.
Madison Nguyen is now locked in a campaign to keep the recall at bay, raising funds and finding support amongst San Jose political establishment. Meanwhile, her opponents -- many whom rallied against her in front of City Hall last March -- are working just hard to oust the councilwoman, drumming up grassroots support among Vietnamese residents.
The special election is just weeks away. Whatever the outcome, I just find it crazy that those three words -- "Saigon Business District" -- might end up being the phrase that defines (and haunts) Madison Nguyen's political career.
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