LOWELL -- Rady Mom is the city's newest state representative, a political novice who won strong backing from the city's Cambodian voters to become what is believed to be the first Cambodian-American legislator in the country.
Mom, a 45-year-old physical therapist, defeated unenrolled candidate Fred Bahou Tuesday to claim the 18th Middlesex House District, winning more than 61 percent of the vote. In an unofficial tally, Mom won, 3,847 to 2,386.
Mom, who moved to the United States at age 12 during his home country's Khmer Rouge regime, has been active in the Cambodian community for years, including the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association, Angkor Dance Troupe and Khmer Cultural Council.
Democratic candidate Rady Mom, right, celebrates his win in the 18th Middlesex state-rep race with supporter Tom Clinton of Boston, left, at Pailin City Restaurant in Lowell. SUN/JULIA MALAKIE
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Many in the city's Cambodian community have said they've been energized by his campaign, becoming more active in local politics than they would normally be.
Mom, who is soft-spoken, could barely be heard above the din of the room. He gave his victory speech shortly after 9 p.m.
"This is history. This is just the beginning," he said, but some still struggled to hear him.
"Speak up, representative. Speak up," new colleague, state Rep. Tom Golden of Lowell, yelled from one side of the room. The crowd erupted.
It was Golden who, moments before, pinned a Legislature pin on the lapel of Mom's jacket and hugged him in a tight embrace.
Mom spoke for about eight minutes and seemed like a more polished speaker than he did two months ago after winning the September primary.
He told a few stories about his campaign but stayed away from talking about specific issues. Standing behind him were his sister, Chanvon, his wife, Sirady, and children Justin, Joee, Amelia and Allyanna.
"With all of their concerns, hearing their voice, they're speaking to me," he said of voters he met campaigning. "You spoke to me, and I found out your concerns are exactly like mine."
Mom didn't mention his Cambodian heritage but did acknowledge the diversity in the room around him.
Democratic candidate Rady Mom, left, and state Rep. Tom Golden, D-Lowell, celebrate Mom's win in the 18th Middlesex state rep race, at his party at Pailin City Restaurant in Lowell. SUN/JULIA MALAKIE
Sun staff photos can be ordered by visiting our SmugMug site.
"We are all Americans. That's why we're here," he said. "Take a second to look around you. Look at the color around you. Isn't it beautiful? You are family, as I am to you."
Speaking at Pailin City Restaurant on Branch Street, Mom promised to be "your bridge from the city of Lowell to Beacon Hill."
"I will fight," he said. "I will fight for justice."
Mom, whose only previous run for political office was a campaign for City Council in 2005, has prioritized public safety, including backing a proposal for the city to use Shotspotter, a gunshot-detection system to help police officers respond almost instantaneously to gunfire. He's also backed a proposal for a regional lock-up facility.
Independent candidate in the 18th Middlesex state rep race, Fred Bahou, center, with daughter Maddie, 19, and son Jacob, 20, both of Lowell, at his election night party at the Athenian Corner. He lost to Democratic candidate Rady Mom. SUN/JULIA MALAKIE
Sun staff photos can be ordered by visiting our SmugMug site.
Mom finished first of four Democrats in the September primary before beating Bahou, who represents Lowell on the Greater Lowell Technical School Committee. In his victory Tuesday, he is the city's first new representative in 15 years.
The 18th Middlesex District encompasses an area of the city generally south of the Merrimack River and west of the Lowell Connector, including the Highlands, the Acre, Cambodia Town and part of downtown. It was Kevin Murphy's district from 1999 until earlier this year, when he resigned to become the Lowell city manager.
Bahou would have been the only member of the Legislature who isn't a Democrat or Republican. He failed to gain many strong endorsements during the campaign, while Mom won strong support from Lowell-area Democrats and others in the party, like Gov. Deval Patrick, state Sen. Eileen Donoghue and Lowell public-safety unions.
The crowd at the Athenian Corner on Market Street, where Bahou and family and supporters were gathered, started filing out at around 8:45 p.m., as word circulated that Bahou had lost. Bahou said he was happy to return to a life without campaigning.
"They ran a great campaign," Bahou said, before alluding to the difficulty facing a Democrat in a heavily Democratic district. "I think it's tough to beat the establishment."
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2 comments:
Congratulation, Mr. Mom, for your victory.
Khmer Yeurng
why rady mom
just winner election
he go to met hun sen
in Cambodia
why he to talk with
communist hun sen leader
not good
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