Major U.S. city elects its first Chinese-American mayor
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Jean Quan made history Wednesday after winning the mayoral election in Oakland, California, becoming this U.S. city's first Chinese-American as well as first woman mayor.
With most of the ballots counted as of Wednesday evening, Quan has got50.98 percent of the vote, compared to 49.02 percent picked up by former California state Senator Don Perata, which is "just enough for a victory," the Oakland Tribune newspaper reported, citing election officials.
With a population of more than 446,000, Oakland is the eighth largest city in California and the 41st largest city in the United States.
"I am grateful and humbled by the trust the voters have placed in me as their new mayor," Quan, 61, said in a press release shortly after the results were announced.
"My family has lived in Oakland for over 100 years. My parents were poor immigrants. My mother was illiterate, and my dad died when I was five. My parents worked in Oakland hotels, restaurants and garment factories," she said.
"This election -- an election of so many firsts -- opens the door of possibilities and hope to Oakland's young people," Quan said.
Quan, the first Asian-American elected to Oakland's city council eight years ago, will also be the first Asian-American woman mayor of this major U.S. city. She will take office on Jan. 3, 2011.
