Rady Mom (born 1970) is an American politician and 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 city manager of Lowell. Mom is the first Cambodian-American to be elected to the Massachusetts state Legislature[1][2] as well as the first Cambodian American elected to a state legislature in the country.[3][4]
Rady Mom | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 18th Middlesex district | |
| Assumed office January 7, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Kevin Murphy |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 7, 1970 Pailin Province, Cambodia |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Sirady Van |
| Children | Justin, Joee, Amelia and Allyanna |
| Residence(s) | Lowell, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Middlesex Community College |
| Occupation | Buddhist monk, acupressure therapist |
Early life and education
editBorn in Pailin, Cambodia in 1970, the son of a ruby miner.[2] When he was 10, his family was sent to a refugee camp by the Khmer Rouge.[5] According to Mom, his entire family was on a list to be executed.[2] Rady and his family emigrated to America in 1982, when he was 12,[6] sponsored by the Chester Park United Methodist Church in Duluth, Minnesota.[7] In 1984 they moved to Lowell, Massachusetts.[1][2] Mom became an American Citizen in 1990.[1] He attended Middlesex Community College. Rady, an acupressure therapist, owns Mom's Therapy & Herbal Center in Lowell, MA.[2][8] Before going to college he became a Buddhist Monk.[2][5] His grandfather was the high priest at the Lowell Glory Buddhist Temple.[5] He is married to Sirady.[6] They have four children: Justin, Joee, Amelia and Allyanna.
Mom is a graduate of Middlesex Community College and in 2015 received the Distinguished Alumni Award at commencement.[9] In 2005 he ran and lost the race for Lowell City Council.[6]
Elections
edit2014
editMom defeated independent Fred Bahou in the 2014 Massachusetts general election with 3,847 votes,[6] 61.7% of the vote.[10] His election made him the first new state representative for Lowell in 15 years.[6]
2016
editThe 2016 election marked the first time three Cambodian-American candidates faced off for a state legislature position.[11] Mom ran against Republican Kamara Kay, in the general election, and Cheth Khim, in the Democratic Primary in a bid to keep his seat in the Massachusetts House.[12] Mom faced heavy opposition, with a large part of the local Cambodian-American constituency disliking Mom's association with Hun Manet, who visited Lowell in May, 2016.[4][13][14] Mom won the primary election with 51% of the vote and went on to be reelected by a landslide victory over Kay.[15]
2018
editMom ran largely unopposed in the 2018 Massachusetts general election with 5,8742 votes, 92% of the vote.[16]
Political career
editIn December 2023 Mom filed "An act relative to instruction on the Cambodian and Vietnamese American refugee experience, Cambodian genocide and the history and culture of the Hmong people" Bill HD.4752.[7]
Committee assignments
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Murphy, Sean (November 8, 2014). "Cambodian-American becomes a first in Lowell". The Boston Globe. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f "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.
- ^ a b "Kay, Mom trade shots in Lowell state rep debate". Retrieved 2017-01-08.
- ^ a b c Mom, Rady (November 5, 2014). "Cambodian-American Rady Mom's House win makes history". The Boston Globe Magazine. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e "Rady Mom makes history, becoming first Cambodian legislator by taking Lowell rep race". Retrieved 2018-01-15.
- ^ a b "Rady Mom bill would require history of Cambodian genocide, Khmer Rouge be taught in Mass. schools". Lowell Sun. 2024-01-19. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ "Biography". Rady Mom- State Representative. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
- ^ "Rep. Mom Middlesex CC's commencement speaker". 29 April 2015. Retrieved 2015-04-29.
- ^ "Rady Mom". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
- ^ Soksreinith, Ten. "Cambodian-Born Candidates Make History in US State Legislature Race". VOA. Retrieved 2017-01-08.
- ^ Soksreinith, Ten. "Cambodian-Americans Aim for Massachusetts State Legislature, Vow to Bring Change to Lowell". VOA. Retrieved 2017-01-09.
- ^ Soksreinith, Ten. "A First: Cambodian-born Candidates Face Off in US State Election". VOA. Retrieved 2016-11-04.
- ^ "Lt. Gen. Hun Manet to visit Lowell's Cambodian community". Retrieved 2017-01-08.
- ^ "Results from Thursday's primary elections - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2017-01-09.
- ^ "Massachusetts House of Representatives 18th Middlesex District". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
- ^ a b c d "Member Profile - Rady Mom". malegislature.gov. Retrieved 2015-12-03.