Historic Comeback For San Jose Councilwoman
SAN JOSE (KCBS) - Madison Nguyen has emerged from a long re-election fight to become one of the highest-ranking Vietnamese American elected officials in the country.
The District 7 lawmaker is expected to become vice mayor at the end of January.
"Being the first Vietnamese vice mayor is going to bring a lot of challenges, but I've had a lot of challenges in the last five years," she said.
KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:
Nguyen made headlines as the first Vietnamese American elected to the council in 2005 only to survive a subsequent recall challenge from a community angry because she opposed naming a retail area Little Saigon.
Mayor Chuck Reed named her to succeed outgoing Councilwoman Judy Chirco in November, citing Nguyen's support on budget issues.
The city council is expected to make that appointment permanent at its January 25 meeting.
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