Rep. Ted Lieu to become highest-ranking Asian American in House Democratic leadership history

Rep. Ted Lieu (D, CA-33), who was recently elected to the No. 5 position in House Democratic Leadership, will replace Rep. Pete Aguilar (D, CA-31) as the party’s vice chairman next year.

Lieu, who has been representing California’s 33rd district since 2015, beat three other candidates for the position: Rep. Joyce Beatty (D, OH-3), Rep. Debbie Dingell (D, MI.-12) and Rep. Madeleine Dean (D, PA-4).

“As I said in my letter announcing my candidacy for Caucus Vice Chair, I am beyond proud to be a part of the House Democrats,” Lieu said in a statement on Wednesday.

“We have managed, in turbulent times, to draw from the spirit of American ideals to achieve legislative and electoral wins for the people,” Lieu continued. “Democrats have shown the American public what is possible when the rational lead. We will continue to do so in the new Congress.”

Lieu will be assuming the vice chairman role after Aguilar replaces Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D, NY-8). Jeffries will then replace Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D, CA-12) after she steps down from the head of the Democratic party next year. Pelosi has been in the role for 20 years now.

Lieu and Dingell, who both served as co-chairs of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), met in the final rounds of voting. The California representative won the final count with 141 votes, while Dingell received 74.

Following the win, Lieu is now set to make history as the highest-ranking Asian American ever in the party’s leadership.

“It’s not lost on me the importance of this vote for the Asian American community,” he told reporters. “I’m very honored that the House Democratic Caucus elected a leadership team that reflects the beautiful diversity of America.”

First elected to Congress in 2014, Lieu made headlines in June for delivering a speech quoting “what Jesus Christ said about homosexuality,” in which he stood in silence on the podium, implying that Jesus never said anything on the matter.

Lieu was also among the 150 Congress members who urged the Department of Justice to condemn anti-Asian discrimination during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Featured Image via MSNBC

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