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'''Thu Nguyen''' (born 1991 or 1992)<ref>{{cite web|last=Foskett|first=Steven H. Jr.|url=https://www.telegram.com/story/news/2021/02/20/thu-nguyen-seeks-large-worcester-city-council-seat/6723924002/|title=Thu Nguyen looking to make history in Worcester as first nonbinary councilor|work=[[Telegram & Gazette]]|date=February 20, 2021|accessdate=June 23, 2022}}</ref> is a Vietnamese-born American politician and community organizer who is a member of the [[Worcester, Massachusetts|Worcester]] [[Municipal council|City Council]], serving since 2022. Nguyen is the first openly [[Non-binary gender|non-binary]] candidate elected to public office in Massachusetts history.
'''Thu Nguyen''' (born 1991 or 1992)<ref>{{cite web|last=Foskett|first=Steven H. Jr.|url=https://www.telegram.com/story/news/2021/02/20/thu-nguyen-seeks-large-worcester-city-council-seat/6723924002/|title=Thu Nguyen looking to make history in Worcester as first nonbinary councilor|work=[[Telegram & Gazette]]|date=February 20, 2021|accessdate=June 23, 2022|archive-date=June 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624014832/https://www.telegram.com/story/news/2021/02/20/thu-nguyen-seeks-large-worcester-city-council-seat/6723924002/|url-status=live}}</ref> is a Vietnamese-born American politician and community organizer who is a member of the [[Worcester, Massachusetts|Worcester]] [[Municipal council|City Council]], serving since 2022. Nguyen is the first openly [[Non-binary gender|non-binary]] candidate elected to public office in Massachusetts history.


== Early life and education ==
== Early life and education ==
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Following 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 (organization theory)|Mutual Aid]], which, during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], raised almost $75,000 for struggling families.<ref name="NextShark article"/>
Following 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 (organization theory)|Mutual Aid]], which, during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], raised almost $75,000 for struggling families.<ref name="NextShark article"/>


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."<ref>{{cite web|last=McNamara|first=Neal|url=https://patch.com/massachusetts/worcester/thu-nguyen-running-first-nonbinary-worcester-council-candidate|title=Thu Nguyen Running As First Nonbinary Worcester Council Candidate|work=Worcester, MA [[Patch (website)|Patch]]|date=February 5, 2021|access-date=November 18, 2021}}</ref> They were endorsed by a number of progressive organizations, including #VOTEPROCHOICE.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.voteprochoice.us/endorsed-candidates-2021 |website=#VOTEPROCHOICE |access-date=14 February 2022 |title=Meet Our 2021 Candidates |archive-date=14 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214162741/https://www.voteprochoice.us/endorsed-candidates-2021 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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 Asia]]n member, as well as, according to the [[LGBTQ Victory Fund]], the first non-binary elected official in the history of Massachusetts.<ref>{{cite web|last=Foskett|first=Steven H. Jr.|url=https://www.telegram.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/11/03/worcester-city-council-nguyen-wins-large-seat-wally-bumped-council/6263451001/|title=City Council at-large: Thu Nguyen first nonbinary person elected to office in Massachusetts|work=[[Telegram & Gazette]]|date=November 3, 2021|access-date=November 14, 2021}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Shenoy|first1=Rupa|last2=Guzman|first2=Dan|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2021/11/09/worcester-nonbinary-councilor-thu-nguyen|title=Worcester community activist on being first openly nonbinary person elected in Mass.|work=[[WBUR-FM]]|date=November 9, 2021|access-date=November 14, 2021}}</ref> They were inaugurated on January 3, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bonner|first=Michael|url=https://www.masslive.com/worcester/2022/01/worcesters-2022-inauguration-highlights-most-diverse-council-school-committee-in-citys-history.html|title=Worcester's 2022 inauguration highlights most diverse council, school committee in city's history|work=[[The Republican (Springfield, Massachusetts)|The Republican]]|date=January 3, 2022|access-date=January 11, 2022}}</ref>
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."<ref>{{cite web|last=McNamara|first=Neal|url=https://patch.com/massachusetts/worcester/thu-nguyen-running-first-nonbinary-worcester-council-candidate|title=Thu Nguyen Running As First Nonbinary Worcester Council Candidate|work=Worcester, MA [[Patch (website)|Patch]]|date=February 5, 2021|access-date=November 18, 2021}}</ref> They were endorsed by a number of progressive organizations, including #VOTEPROCHOICE.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.voteprochoice.us/endorsed-candidates-2021 |website=#VOTEPROCHOICE |access-date=14 February 2022 |title=Meet Our 2021 Candidates |archive-date=14 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214162741/https://www.voteprochoice.us/endorsed-candidates-2021 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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 Asia]]n member, as well as, according to the [[LGBTQ Victory Fund]], the first non-binary elected official in the history of Massachusetts.<ref>{{cite web|last=Foskett|first=Steven H. Jr.|url=https://www.telegram.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/11/03/worcester-city-council-nguyen-wins-large-seat-wally-bumped-council/6263451001/|title=City Council at-large: Thu Nguyen first nonbinary person elected to office in Massachusetts|work=[[Telegram & Gazette]]|date=November 3, 2021|access-date=November 14, 2021|archive-date=November 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122202737/https://www.telegram.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/11/03/worcester-city-council-nguyen-wins-large-seat-wally-bumped-council/6263451001/|url-status=live}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Shenoy|first1=Rupa|last2=Guzman|first2=Dan|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2021/11/09/worcester-nonbinary-councilor-thu-nguyen|title=Worcester community activist on being first openly nonbinary person elected in Mass.|work=[[WBUR-FM]]|date=November 9, 2021|access-date=November 14, 2021|archive-date=May 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510183738/https://www.wbur.org/news/2021/11/09/worcester-nonbinary-councilor-thu-nguyen|url-status=live}}</ref> They were inaugurated on January 3, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bonner|first=Michael|url=https://www.masslive.com/worcester/2022/01/worcesters-2022-inauguration-highlights-most-diverse-council-school-committee-in-citys-history.html|title=Worcester's 2022 inauguration highlights most diverse council, school committee in city's history|work=[[The Republican (Springfield, Massachusetts)|The Republican]]|date=January 3, 2022|access-date=January 11, 2022|archive-date=January 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111224132/https://www.masslive.com/worcester/2022/01/worcesters-2022-inauguration-highlights-most-diverse-council-school-committee-in-citys-history.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


== Electoral history ==
== Electoral history ==
{| class=wikitable
{| class=wikitable
!colspan=3|2021 Worcester at-large City Council election<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worcesterma.gov/election-results/2020-Present/20211102.pdf|title=OFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS MUNICIPAL ELECTION 11/02/2021|publisher=[[Worcester, Massachusetts]]|date=November 12, 2021|access-date=November 18, 2021}}</ref>
!colspan=3|2021 Worcester at-large City Council election<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worcesterma.gov/election-results/2020-Present/20211102.pdf|title=OFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS MUNICIPAL ELECTION 11/02/2021|publisher=[[Worcester, Massachusetts]]|date=November 12, 2021|access-date=November 18, 2021|archive-date=November 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118054252/http://www.worcesterma.gov/election-results/2020-Present/20211102.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|-
!Candidate
!Candidate

Revision as of 08:56, 17 December 2024

Thu Nguyen
Member of the Worcester City Council at-large
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2022
Personal details
Born1991 or 1992 (age 32–33)
Vietnam
Political partyDemocratic
EducationClark University (BA)
WebsiteCampaign website

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.

Early life and education

Nguyen 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

Following 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

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

  1. ^ Foskett, Steven H. Jr. (February 20, 2021). "Thu Nguyen looking to make history in Worcester as first nonbinary councilor". Telegram & Gazette. Archived from the original on June 24, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ McNamara, Neal (February 5, 2021). "Thu Nguyen Running As First Nonbinary Worcester Council Candidate". Worcester, MA Patch. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  4. ^ "Meet Our 2021 Candidates". #VOTEPROCHOICE. Archived from the original on 14 February 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  5. ^ Foskett, Steven H. Jr. (November 3, 2021). "City Council at-large: Thu Nguyen first nonbinary person elected to office in Massachusetts". Telegram & Gazette. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  6. ^ Shenoy, Rupa; Guzman, Dan (November 9, 2021). "Worcester community activist on being first openly nonbinary person elected in Mass". WBUR-FM. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  7. ^ Bonner, Michael (January 3, 2022). "Worcester's 2022 inauguration highlights most diverse council, school committee in city's history". The Republican. Archived from the original on January 11, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  8. ^ "OFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS MUNICIPAL ELECTION 11/02/2021" (PDF). Worcester, Massachusetts. November 12, 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.


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