Hoan Huynh (born October 9, 1989) is an American politician serving as a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representative from the 13th House District. Elected in November 2022, he assumed office on January 11, 2023.

On November 8, 2022, with 90.49% of the vote (the highest percentage of victory statewide for a contested race), he was elected State Representative of the 13th District, making him the first Vietnamese American ever elected in Illinois state history of 204 years, the first Vietnamese American elected in the Midwest for the state legislature, the first Asian American elected to represent Chicago's Northside lakefront, and the first person of color and Asian American to represent the 13th District. The 13th District includes Chicago's Northside Lakefront neighborhoods of Uptown, Wrigleyville, Andersonville, Lake View, Southport, Ravenswood, Lincoln Square, Buena Park, Sheridan Park, Arcadia Terrace, Budlong Woods, and West Ridge.

Early life and education

The son of refugees from Vietnam, Huynh was born in Vietnam and resettled in the Uptown neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois.^[1] His father served in the South Vietnamese military during the Vietnam War. Huynh graduated from Yale University and Harvard University with bachelor's and master's degrees and worked in social innovation, social entrepreneurship, technology startups, and eventually, community and social impact investments for a decade. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was deeply concerned with the anti-Asian hate sentiments and how communities of color were left behind and heavily disinvested. As a result, he was inspired to run for office to build a more equitable city and state for his neighbors and community members.

Grassroots organizing

Huynh began his grassroots organizing in Chicago while working in community investments and social innovation. He spent time working in neighborhoods all around the city of Chicago, in particular, the Southside and Westside of the city. In addition, during the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020, he led mutual aid efforts to get emergency supplies out to communities in need all around the Chicago area, working with community-oriented organizations to support COVID-19 prevention efforts on the ground. He was also a founding member of Celebrate Argyle, a community initiative to support local small businesses and promote storytelling in the Asia on Argyle neighborhood in Uptown.

Political campaign

As a grassroots candidate and political newcomer, Huynh announced his candidacy for State Representative of the 13th District in 2021, after the incumbent, Illinois House Majority Leader Greg Harris, announced his retirement that year. Huynh ran for the Illinois State House to fight for legislation to support working and middle-class families, invest in small businesses and teachers, expand healthcare access, create more affordable housing and new pathways to home ownership, build a green economy with good-paying jobs, fight to end gun violence to protect our communities, and protect fundamental human rights - LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive healthcare rights, and immigrant and refugee rights. As a political underdog in the race, Huynh was heavily outspent 3:1 by other candidates in the race.

In one of the closest-watched and crowded General Assembly races in Illinois state history, Huynh emerged victorious in the June 28, 2022 Democratic Party Primary with 45.43% of the vote, winning six Chicago city wards, and defeated the Democratic political establishment.

Huynh is considered a rising political star in Illinois and has worked to build a pipeline for younger Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander candidates to enter public service.

He sits on seven legislative committees in Springfield: Appropriations - General Service; Appropriations - Health & Human Services; Health Care Availability & Access; Housing; Immigration & Human Rights; Transportation: Regulations, Roads & Bridges; First Responder Subcommittee; and Restorative Justice. He has also passed a variety of impactful statewide legislation as a first term legislator.

Personal life

Huynh lives in Uptown, Chicago in the 13th District. He is actively engaged in his community and regularly attends nonprofit events, religious gatherings, and neighborhood events. Huynh is an avid Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Bears, and Chicago Blackhawks fan.

Electoral history

In the November 2022 General election, Huynh defeated Republican nominee Alper Turan with 90.49% of the vote.

References