On Tuesday, Judy Chu became the first Chinese American woman elected to Congress. Winning nearly 62% of the vote,  Chu succeeds current U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis in the 32nd Congressional District. She managed to tap into Asian voters which compose 13 percent of voters in the congressional district, as well as Latino voters who make up nearly 50 percent.

Chu’s political career began on the Garvey School Board and the Monterey Park City Council, gaining the support of diverse individuals from different parties and backgrounds. In 1986  Chu and husband attorney Mike Eng created the Coalition for Harmony in Monterey Park to promote cultural diversity in the midst of English-only backlash. They created “harmony days” to celebrate the city’s multiple cultures and petitioned to reverse discriminating resolutions.

In 1988, Chu was elected to the council; in 2001, she won an Assembly seat after two unsuccessful attempts. In 2006, Chu ran and won for a position on the Board of Equalization. Chu was sworn in on Wednesday to represent the 32nd congressional district, which includes El Monte, Azusa,  and Covina.

(Photo from californiatargetbook.com)