Rady Mom
| Rady Mom | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives | |
|
Assumed office January 7, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Kevin Murphy |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Pailin, Combodia |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Sirady Van |
| Children | Justin, Joee, Amelia and Allyanna |
| Alma mater | Middlesex Community College |
| Occupation | Buddhist Monk, acupressure therapist, Politician |
Rady Mom (born 1970) is a representative in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, representing the 18th Middlesex district. The district was formerly represented by Kevin Murphy, who vacated his seat in 2014 when he was hired as the current city manager of Lowell. Mom is the first Cambodian-American to be elected to a state Legislature[1][2] and the only Cambodian American elected to a stated legislature in the country.[3]
Early life and education
Born in Pailin, Cambodia in 1970, the son of a ruby farmer.[2] When he was 10, his family was sent to a refugee camp by the Khmer Rouge.[4] According to Mom, his entire family was on a list to be executed.[2] Rady and his family emigrated to America in 1982, sponsored by the Chester Park United Methodist Church in Duluth, Minnesota. In 1984 they moved to Lowell, Massachusetts.[1][2] Mom became an American Citizen in 1990.[1] He attended Middlesex Community College. Rady, a acupressure therapist, owns Mom's Therapy & Herbal Center in Lowell, MA.[5][2] Before going to college he became a Buddhist Monk.[4][2] His grandfather was the high priest at the Lowell Glory Buddhist Temple.[4]
Mom is a graduate of Middlesex Community College and in 2015 received the Distinguished Alumni Award at commencement.[6]
2014 Election
Mom defeated independent Fred Bahou in the 2014 Massachusetts general election with 61.7% of the vote.[7]
2016 Election
Mom is currently running against Kamara Kay in a bid to keep his seat in the Massachusetts House. Mom is facing heavy opposition, with a large part of the local Cambodian-American constituency defecting from Mom's support due to unrest at Mom's association with Cambodian government figures associated with human rights violations and his failure to support a campaign Kay successfully led to have the Lowell City Council refuse to receive a visiting Cambodian representative. Kay argues also that Mom has been ineffective in office and distant from his constituents. Mom counters that he has used his first term in office to build significant relationships and move forward major projects such as a replacement for the Rourke Bridge in Lowell. Kay has taken the Republican ticket, but his supporters are predominantly Democrats wanting an alternative to Mom.[8]
Committee Assignments
- Joint Committee on Education[9]
- Joint Committee on Election Laws[9]
- Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security[9]
- Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy[9]
External links
References
- 1 2 3 Murphy, Sean (November 8, 2014). "Cambodian-American becomes a first in Lowell". The Boston Globe. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "First Cambodian-American state lawmaker offers a fresh antidote to cynicism - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2015-12-03.
- ↑ H, Delores (2015-07-10). "A Year After Tragedy, Cambodian Community In Lowell Shows Resilience". wbur. Retrieved 2015-12-03.
- 1 2 3 Mom, Rady (November 5, 2014). "Cambodian-American Rady Mom's House win makes history". The Boston Globe Magazine. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
- ↑ "Biography". Rady Mom- State Representative. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
- ↑ "Rep. Mom Middlesex CC's commencement speaker". Retrieved 2015-04-29.
- ↑ "Rady Mom". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
- ↑ Soksreinith, Ten. "A First: Cambodian-born Candidates Face Off in US State Election". VOA. Retrieved 2016-11-04.
- 1 2 3 4 "Member Profile - Rady Mom". malegislature.gov. Retrieved 2015-12-03.