Iwen Chu
Iwen Chu | |
|---|---|
| 曲怡文 | |
Chu in 2024 | |
| Member of the New York State Senate from the 17th district | |
| In office January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Simcha Felder (redistricted) |
| Succeeded by | Steve Chan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 16, 1978 Taiwan |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Shih Hsin University Brooklyn College (MA) |
| Website | Campaign website Official website |
Iwen Chu (Chinese: 曲怡文; born December 16, 1978) is a Taiwanese-American politician who served as a member of the New York State Senate for the 17th district from 2023 to 2024. A Democrat, she is the first Asian American woman to be elected to the state senate.[1][2]
Early life and education
Chu was born and raised in Taiwan and graduated from Shih Hsin University in 2000. She worked for Chung T'ien Television then moved to New York at the age of 27 to pursue a Master of Arts in sociology at Brooklyn College.[3][4]
Career
Chu previously worked as chief of staff to former state assemblymember Peter Abbate and as a reporter for World Journal.[5] She previously served as a member of Community Board 11 and Community Education Council District 20.[1]
After announcing it would not make an endorsement in the 2025 New York City Democratic mayoral primary, The New York Times convened a panel of civic leaders including Chu to provide commentary on the candidates.[6] She ranked Brad Lander as the best candidate overall and detracted from Zohran Mamdani, saying "Even though my heart wants to agree with him [Mamdani], my brain tells me I can’t. You need to spend the money on things you need. Unfortunately, I don’t see his policy as a viable option for New Yorkers."[7]
New York State Senate
In 2022, Chu ran for the New York Senate in the newly drawn 17th district which includes the South Brooklyn communities of South Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington, Sunset Park, Borough Park, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst and Gravesend.[3] She defeated Republican candidate Vito LaBella in a close race.[1]
In 2024, she lost her re-election bid to Republican candidate Steve Chan.[8][9] Democrats thus lost their supermajority in the body.
In June 2025, City & State reported that Chu had filed to run for an undeclared state office and established an exploratory committee.[10]
Personal life
Chu lives with her husband and daughter in Dyker Heights.
See also
References
- ^ a b c Khurshid, Samar (November 30, 2022). "'I knew the vote would be close, but I didn't think that close': Iwen Chu's History-Making Win in Brooklyn's New 17th State Senate District". Gotham Gazette. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
- ^ Del Cerro, Ximena (November 17, 2022). "Iwen Chu elected first Asian woman state Senator in New York, will represent first Asian-majority state Senate district". The Brooklyn Paper. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
- ^ a b Pedraza, February 28, 2022. "State Senate candidate Iwen Chu on what Asian representation means for District 27". City & State New York. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Xia, Xiahua (December 20, 2022). "专访台湾裔美国纽约州参议员曲怡文：为亚裔代言". Radio Free Asia (in Chinese). Retrieved June 12, 2025.
- ^ Stark-Miller, Ethan (March 1, 2022). "Brooklyn's Chinatown could soon have its first Asian American woman lawmaker". PoliticsNY. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
- ^ "'We're Taking a Leap of Faith.' 15 New Yorkers Assess the Candidates for Mayor". The New York Times. June 17, 2025. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
- ^ "Who Should Lead New York?". The New York Times. June 12, 2025. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
- ^ Forsythe, Michael; Pallaro, Bianca; Root, Jay; Weiser, Benjamin (December 9, 2024). "How a Criminal With Close Ties to China Became a New York Power Broker". The New York Times. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
- ^ "'Angry' voters boot state Sen. Iwen Chu out of office". City and State NY. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ Krichevsky, Sophie (June 10, 2025). "Iwen Chu files to run for office again". City & State. Retrieved June 17, 2025.