Ronnie Cho could be among the first Korean Americans to win a seat on New York’s City Council., reports Next Shark.
The 34-year old Cho revealed he was inspired by the farewell speech of President Barack Obama to run for office.
“If you’re disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clipboard, get some signatures, and run for office yourself,” Cho recalled the former president saying.
“That was the moment I decided, you know what, I’m gonna go for it,” he told NBC News.
Cho is currently the vice president of public affairs at MTV Networks. However, he’s ready to leave soon to focus on his campaign. His team now consists of consultants, a manager and a pollster.
Cho helped Obama during the Iowa Democratic caucus in 2008. He then ran the former president’s field program in Maine
His efforts were rewarded when Obama became president. Later, he worked in the Federal Communications Commission and Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Legislative Affairs.
Cho, the son of South Korean immigrants, originally hails from Phoenix, Arizona. However, he fell in love with New York City on his first visit. He now hopes to give his all for District 2:
“I just want to be the best council member in this district,” he said.
Currently, New York state counts all of five Asian Americans as elected officials: two in the City Council, two in the state Assembly, and one in Congress.
“If I was a kid and I knew that someone that looked like me could possibly one day work at the White House, or work at MTV, or be a public servant and live in New York City, that would’ve meant something to me,” Cho said. “It would’ve made me feel like there are bigger things that I can dream up.”
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