Hmong Americans Gain Political Representation

Governing: Tou Xiong describes running for office as almost a natural stage of life. “We got done with college and law school,” he says, “and now we’re in that prime time to run for office.”

Xiong was part of a group of four legislators of Hmong descent elected to the Minnesota House last November, tripling the overall number to six. The House grew more diverse in general, with record numbers of Hispanic, Asian and black legislators, including representatives from Minnesota’s Somali community.

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