Mai Chong Xiong, District 6
Mai Chong Xiong was elected to the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners to represent District 6, in a historic race where she will be the first Asian, first Hmong American, and youngest to serve. She is a public servant, community organizer, working mother of two young children, caregiver to elderly parents, and wife to Dan Yang. She was born and raised in Saint Paul where her family and extended families have called it home the last 35 years. Growing up, she and her family experienced housing instability where she found herself having to navigate many bureaucratic programs and services that shamed them for being poor. She knew and believed they deserved better, which was why she pursued a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Political Science and graduated from the College of St. Benedict.
For the last 10 years, she has dedicated her time and efforts to fight for racial, social, and economic justice. As a TakeAction Minnesota leader and former board chair, she helped to defend voting rights, increased the state’s minimum wage, and got the State to recognize and proclaim the first Hmong American Day on May 14, 2013. She has worked in Saint Paul City Hall as a legislative aide for over 8 years, where she organized support for progressive policies such as Responsible Banking, Earned Sick and Safe Time, and $15 Minimum Wage, alongside diverse stakeholders and elected leaders. She will continue to fight for progressive policies to advance racial, social, and economic justice for her constituents in District 6 by delivering more investments in affordable housing for all, economic opportunities, better transit and climate resilience.