Iwen Chu
Chu in 2024
Member of the New York State Senate
from the 17th district
Assumed office
January 1, 2023
Preceded bySimcha Felder (redistricted)
Personal details
Born (1978-12-16) December 16, 1978 (age 45)
Taiwan
Political partyDemocratic
Residence(s)Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
EducationBrooklyn College (MA)
WebsiteCampaign website
Official website

Iwen Chu (Chinese: 曲怡文; born December 16, 1978) is an American politician serving as a member of the New York State Senate for the 17th district. A Democrat, she is the first Asian American woman to be elected to the state senate.[1][2]

Early life and education

Chu was born in Taiwan and moved to New York at the age of 27 to pursue a Master of Arts in Sociology at Brooklyn College.[3]

Political career

Chu previously worked as chief of staff to former Assemblymember Peter Abbate and as a reporter for World Journal.[4]

The newly drawn 17th district includes the Southern Brooklyn communities of South Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington, Sunset Park, Borough Park, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst and Gravesend.[3]

Personal life

Chu lives with her husband and daughter in Dyker Heights.

References

  1. ^ Khurshid, Samar (November 30, 2022). "'I knew the vote would be close, but I didn't think that close': Iwen Chu's History-Making Win in Brooklyn's New 17th State Senate District". Gotham Gazette. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  2. ^ Del Cerro, Ximena (November 17, 2022). "Iwen Chu elected first Asian woman state Senator in New York, will represent first Asian-majority state Senate district". The Brooklyn Paper. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Pedraza, February 28, 2022. "State Senate candidate Iwen Chu on what Asian representation means for District 27". City & State New York. Retrieved September 27, 2023.((cite web)): CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Stark-Miller, Ethan (March 1, 2022). "Brooklyn's Chinatown could soon have its first Asian American woman lawmaker". PoliticsNY. Retrieved September 27, 2023.


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