Gene Wu
Gene Wu | |
|---|---|
| Minority Leader of the Texas House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office January 14, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Trey Martinez Fischer |
| Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 137th district | |
| Assumed office January 8, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Scott Hochberg |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Eugene Yuanzhi Wu March 23, 1978 Guangzhou, China |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Miya Shay (m. 2012) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | |
| Signature | |
| Website | Campaign website |
Eugene Yuanzhi Wu (Chinese: 吳元之; pinyin: Wú Yuánzhī) is a Chinese-American lawyer and politician who is a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives, serving since 2013. He was formerly a prosecutor for Harris County.[1]
Early life and education
Wu was born in Guangzhou in Guangdong province, China.[2] Shortly after, his family immigrated to the United States, and spent time in Odessa, Texas before moving to Sharpstown, a neighborhood in Southwest Houston. He attended Ed White Elementary, Fondren Middle School, and St. Thomas Episcopal School.
Wu received his Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M University, a Master of Public Affairs from the LBJ School for Public Affairs[3] at the University of Texas at Austin in Austin, and earned a J.D. degree from the South Texas College of Law in Houston.[4]
Texas House of Representatives
Wu was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2012. His time as a State Representative has been focused on issues concerning education, criminal justice, public safety and child welfare. He is currently a member of the Juvenile Justice and Family Issues Committee, as well as the House Committee on Appropriations. Following his first legislative session he received the Sierra Club's New Leadership in Environmental Protection Award, and was also named Freshman of the Year by the Texas District and County Attorneys Association.[4]
In 2024, Wu supported an executive order by Greg Abbott that ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to arrest those attempting to conduct influence operations supporting Operation Fox Hunt to coerce dissidents to return to China.[5][6]
Personal life
Wu is married to Miya Shay (a reporter for ABC 13 in Houston, Texas) and has two children.[4][2]
He has served as a tutor for at-risk youths in the Grad-Lab and Twilight programs at Sharpstown High School and as a mentor for adults with the nonprofit, Skills 4 Living. Wu has been a volunteer and trainer for Neighborhood Centers Inc. In that capacity, he conducts monthly workshops where he has helped several thousand Harris County residents become United States citizens.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Rep. Wu, Gene − District 137". Texas House of Representatives.
- ^ a b Zhou, May (July 25, 2014). "Gene Wu: Changing the Stereotypes". China Daily USA.
- ^ "Gene Wu bio". Pagel, Davis & Hill, P.C.
- ^ a b c "Home | Genewu". genefortexas.com.
- ^ "Rep. Gene Wu Response to Abbott's Support for Chinese Immigrant Community in Texas". KIAH. November 20, 2024.
- ^ Barragán, James (November 18, 2024). "Gov. Greg Abbott issues executive order targeting Chinese government operatives in Texas". The Texas Tribune.