CM Richard Nguyen
One more set of District Council interviews before we move on to the At Large races. District F covers a stretch of fast-growing, very diverse southwest Houston. It was the location of the biggest political upset of the 2013 election, when a little known and lightly funded candidate knocked off a two-term incumbent. That candidate was CM Richard Nguyen, an employee of the city’s Solid Waste department who was recruited to run by constituents who were unhappy with the prior incumbent and beat him with an old-fashioned shoe leather campaign. CM Nguyen made a bigger name for himself last year when he made a moving speech in favor of the Equal Rights Ordinance. He is now running for his first re-election, and I was happy to have a chance to talk to him:
(Note: This interview took place before the Supreme Court ruling that required a repeal or referendum on HERO.)
You can see all of my interviews as well as finance reports and other information on candidates on my 2015 Election page.
I am no authority about internal Vietnamese-American politics but would note: There is a severe split in the community regarding whether Al Hoang acted properly to visit or welcome trade dignitaries from the present nation of Vietnam, ruled by the Communist Party, which played a major role in the outcome in 2013.
This cycle, the addition of a vote regarding the HERO ordinance could impact results. Dr. Steve Le has made opposition to HERO a cornerstone of his campaign, and hopes to win over the mostly older white voters and culturally conservative Asians who usually turn out to vote in the district.
Steve Le actually lives in Cypress or Conroe, I forget which, but so long as residency for voting is defined loosely, I don’t know that it matters. This district has almost never had a bona fide resident sitting at the Council horseshoe in recent years. MJ Khan really lived in Memorial; Al Hoang claimed a relative’s home as I recall, and I could not even vouch for where Nguyen really lives. I am sure the list could go on and on.