The election drama in Massachusetts climaxed with Republican Scott Brown’s victory to fill the late Sen. Ted Kennedy’s seat, a first time in a long time since a Republican represented the Bay State in the Senate. Although Sen. Brown shares an exciting “dark horse” story against his opponent Martha Coakley, there’s an even more intriguing story in one of the Republican candidates campaigning in the congressional 5th district…
There is also history in the making in the Massachusetts 5th congressional district. Sam Meas is one of the Republican candidates hoping to win the primary then to challenge incumbent Rep. Niki Tsongas (D). Meas is the first Cambodian American to run for Congress. The district is home to 30,000 Cambodians, and they are energized about the possibility of somebody to better represent them in Washington:
“I am greatly excited to see a Cambodian running for an office here, especially up to the Congressional level because this will benefit Cambodian community here and those in Cambodia,” president of the Cambodian Association for Democracy and Human Rights, Yap Kimtung, told VOA Khmer after listening to Sam Meas’s presentation. “I would like to appeal to all Cambodian-American to register and vote for him.”
Massachusetts 5th congressional district (MA-05) is such a Democrat stronghold that in several elections no Republicans appeared to challenge the incumbent. The seat is currently held by Rep. Niki Tsongas (D), a typical New England liberal on all issues: expansion of federal government, bailouts of private companies, advocating green energy and jobs, support of citizenship for illegal aliens, etc. Even her official blog is hosted on the liberal Blue Mass Group website.
Sam Meas’ platform of tax cuts, accountable government spending, and responsible immigration reform is a breath of fresh air against Tsongas’ message. For three years as a teenager he spent life in a refugee camp after escaping the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge. The fact that he’s here today, as a productive citizen of the United States and running for office, speaks volumes of his gratefulness and love for America and its traditional values.
Life will be tough on the campaign trail to win the primary, but I’m sure it’s nothing compared to being alone as a teenage refugee then moving to a foreign land as a foster child. Sam Meas has an amazing story to tell and is an embodiment of the American dream.
I have spoken with Meas previously and found that he is an intelligent and sincere man. He’s absolutely committed to his decision to run for office but he needs our financial and volunteer support. He’s already made his mark as the first Cambodian American to run for Congress, but together we can write another page in the history books for him to be the first Republican in MA-05 since 1972.
