Joseph Cao: Louisiana’s Newest Congressman

RightPundits.com ^ | 12/07/08 | Ignatius Reilly

[uglybiker]

In a stunning upset, Republican Ahn “Joseph” Cao, a Vietnamese immigrant with no political experience, has defeated Democratic incumbent William Jefferson for the U.S. House of Representative’s seat of the 2nd District of Lousiana.

Ahn Joseph Cao

Ahn “Joseph” Cao will represent the 2nd District of Lousiana in the new Congressional term after defeating William Jefferson. Cao, an immigration attorney, is a newcomer to politics and will be the first person of Vietnamese descent to become a representative in Congress. His opponent William Jefferson was plagued by allegations of corruption throughout his campaign and is currently facing federal indictments related to illegal funds received from Nigerian business interests. Jefferson became notorious in Louisiana after the FBI found $90,000 in cash allegedly received as bribes in his freezer.

Though Louisiana is often mocked as a rural backwater by liberals, the state has now elected the first Indian American governor and the first Vietnamese American Congressman. Both are Republicans. Way to go, Lousiana!

Biography of Joseph Cao

Ahn “Joseph” Cao, 41 was born in Saigon, in 1967. He fled Vietnam in 1975 with his mother and two siblings when he was eight years old, and came to America as a refugee. His father, a soldier in the South Vietnamese army, was captured and imprisoned by North Vietnamese Communist forces.

Despite a disadvantaged childhood in a refugee community, Cao excelled in academics and went on to study at Baylor University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Physics. He went on to receive a master’s degree in philosophy at Fordham University and considered studying to become a priest before entering law school at Loyola University, where he received a J.D. in 2000.

Since receiving his law degree, he has practiced immigration law. He has also served as a board member of Boat People SOS (BPSOS), a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering Vietnamese American communities.

He announced his candidacy for Congress in the 2nd District of Louisiana in 2008 against Democratic incumbent William Jefferson, who was hampered by allegations of corruption and barely won the Democratic primary. Despite being relatively unknown to most voters, Cao received the endorsements of Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal and many major Louisiana newspapers. He won the election on December 6, 2008, and will be the nation’s first Vietnamese American Congressman.

He is married to Hieu “Kate” Hoang, and has two daughters named Sophia and Betsy.

[Fred]

Blockbuster!!!! Awesome post!!!!

[4rcane]

cool

[AliVeritas]

ping

[Norman Conquest]

An Indian-American governor. A Vietnamese-American congressman. In the deep deep South.

Man, these Republicans are the lily-white party of country club racism, ain’t they?

[Fred]

Caos Do Fly, At Least In New Orleans - Hotline

[Bahbah]

What delightful news.

[ComputerGuy]

One small step at a time

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

Let's hope he is a true conservative. It has been my experience that the Vietnamese immigrants, like many of the Russians, have a greater appreciation for American liberty and traditions than most liberal Americans whose roots may go back 200 years in this country.

[Comparative Advantage]

I was shocked to read this thread this morning.

He apparently received a decent percentage of the black vote in the district. Evidently, district residents had finally tired of “Cold Cash” Jefferson.

[Islander7]

Ditto!

[FES0844]

I was shocked ...

I was too! Kinda restores my faith in my fellow voters....just a little!

[freeangel]

“lily-white party of country club racism”
Hey, if one actually is honest, works and educates themself to get where they are, they will always be considered white by the something for nothing bunch.

[cpforlife.org]

WOW!!!!!!!

I live 1 hour N of NO and am shocked by this great news!

I’m in another dist. and thought/heard Jefferson was a shoe in.

What great news to start this Sunday!

LOL hope there is a BIG margin so no thoughts of a recount

[ThanhPhero]

I am very glad to see that the Viet Kieu won but his name is ANH CAO not Ahn! AHN is not Vietnamese formulation at all. Ever.

[OBXWanderer]

Wonder if Congressman Elect Cao has received a congratulatory call from “President Elect” ?????

[ElayneJ]

Woo-Hoo!! Way to go Louisiana!

[3catsanadog]

Every time I read about the Vietnamese who came here with nothing more than the clothes on their backs and worked and studied hard to become productive citizens of this great country, I can't help but think also about all the whiny cry-babies, born and raised here, complaining ad nauseum that were it not for racism and (in their opinion) the lack of governmental and charitable programs to do everything for them but wipe their butts after a BM, they'd be productive citizens also.

Alas, they demand more and more handouts which apparently we don't give them enough of, so they continue to have umpteen babies by umpteen different fathers and sell drugs and kill each other and innocent children.

[Ann Archy]

Both Catholics also. Congrats to the people of LA for kicking out the trash Jefferson.....now on to PRISON.

[SolidWood]

Congratulations Congressman Cao!