Hoang Nguyen is set to become the first Vietnamese American representative in the Utah Legislature, representing District 23 along Salt Lake County’s affluent east bench. Coming to the United States as a refugee, Nguyen was inspired by Rep. Luz Escamilla, who encouraged her to run for office. Escamilla has passed over 130 bills as a Democrat, woman, and woman of color, serving as a role model for Nguyen.
Nguyen believes Utah is at an inflection point and lawmakers need to address issues such as managing growth, the cost of living, and tax credits for working families. Her main focuses include the environment, economic growth, and education, with an emphasis on providing higher-paying job opportunities for working families that do not require a college degree. She advocates for more trade schools and apprenticeship programs to prepare individuals for well-paying trades.
As a managing partner of Sapa Investments, which employs nearly 500 people locally, Nguyen brings business experience to her new role as a legislator. She is passionate about providing opportunities for working families and believes that more representation in government is crucial as Utah continues to change. Nguyen’s appointment highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion in state politics, offering a fresh perspective and unique insight into addressing the needs of Utah residents.
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