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New Comptroller Is First Asian Elected To Citywide Office


By

Jen Chung

Published Nov 4, 2009

Modified Nov 4, 2009


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By

Jen Chung

Published Nov 4, 2009

Modified Nov 4, 2009


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With his resounding victory as the next City Comptroller (76% of the vote to Republican candidate Joseph Mendola's 19%), City Councilman John Liu is the first Asian-American elected to citywide office. Liu, who was born in Taiwan and immigrated to NYC at age 5, said last night, "The significance of my victory tonight is not lost on me … indeed, this is an historic night for New York City and a milestone for Asian Americans across the nation. ’m truly humbled.” Supporters were excited, with one telling WCBS 2, "He is also an immigrant like me, is not American-born like me, so it's very exciting," and another invoking President Obama's historic win last year, "I see a parallel, for him to make history."

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Asian

asian american

city comptroller

john liu


Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

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