Andy Nguyen vs. Goliath

 

A funny thing happened on the way to the Tarrant County Commissioner Precinct 2 Republican runoff election…

Much of the political frenzy can be viewed in shades of gray – but with a biased article appearing this week in the Fort Worth Star Telegram (a paper that is endorsing 20 year incumbent County Commissioner Marti VanRavenswaay as well as having endorsed Obama in 2008 – such wisdom must be included)  there can be no denying we have the bullies of the playground that do not want the new kid to play on the slides. The lines have been drawn.  We have a David and Goliath moment coming on April 13th – Only one question remains: Will David prevail with his slingshot?? 

Although living in Dallas County,  I am no more than an armchair quarterback … I must admit, it makes for a good reality show.

This “David” is Andy Nguyen,a young, Vietnamese American, community leader  who had the audacity to win the hearts and votes of the people in Precinct 2 of Tarrant County - specifically Arlington and Mansfield, Texas respectively.

The “Goliath” appears to us in the form of twenty year incumbent Republican County Commissioner, Marti VanRavenswaay.

Let the mudslinging begin… it is hard to imagine that the real Enemy, liberal Democrats aren’t even on the ballot.

During the March Republican Primary 23,495 votes were cast in this small race for county commissioner of precinct 2, there were three contenders…Joe McHaney, MartiVanRavenswaay, and Andy Nguyen.  Marti VanRavenswaay,  the twenty year incumbent, who has clearly lost touch with her constituents could only garner 33.65% of the vote while Nguyen was able to bring in 42.37%, as Joe McHaney claimed 23.98%. Notably in this district we saw that an additional 27% of new voters cast a ballot . However, the needed 50% of vote was not reached – thus we are in the middle of a runoff between Andy Nguyen and Marti VanRavenswaay

There lies the issue in this … Marti VanRavenswaay, so out of the loop with her constituents, was clearly in trouble with her own primary.   How could she let an unknown Asian community worker… take her entitled position as County Commissioner?  Answer: Taking a page from Chicago style politics, she has enticed her media sponsor to sling a little old fashioned mud.

Let’s go back to 1994. Andy Nguyen, was just out of the military.  He had begun the struggle to find his way into civilian life.  Working 7 days a week, from 530am to 12am in a managerial position of a convenience store. One fateful day, Nguyen was away on a break while a cleark tended the store. A woman entered and begged the clerk for help.  She had no money and needed to buy prescriptions.  The woman asked the clerk to exchange food stamps for money.  The clerk agreed.  The police entered. And Andy Nguyen found himself and the store part of sting operation.  

Although the clerk made the error in judgement, it was Nguyen, as the manager who chose to take full responsibility of the situation.

This is the kind of character Nguyen has… even as a young 20 something year old.  He was not about taking the easy way out, trying to find legal loopholes, or putting blame on others.  

Nguyen received deferred adjudication as well as community service for the entire ordeal and moved forward in his life with the same values, character, and leadership he started with then.. perfection is something that belongs to God.

No doubt, some articles will recount this story with added intrigue or barely disguised prejudice. But, I believe that supporters of Nguyen will see this mudslinging for what it truly is… a desperate attempt by an out of touch incumbent candidate to destroy an unexpected competitor who has won the trust of the people.

You see, I have seen many candidates in my time, up close… and I know how rare an Andy Nguyen is.  I think those constituents who support him can see the rarity too.  A candidate who understands the term “public servant” and sees the opportunity as humbling.  This is a man who sees America as “the shiny city upon a hill”, just as John Winthrop, one of America’s early Pilgrims.

I sat in a room with 700 hundred of his supporters that were at a fundraiser for Nguyen… 700 during a time of economic disaster.  

I said to the person next to me, ” I can’t believe that Nguyen could draw out so many people.”  

The man next to me laughed. “This didn’t happen overnight.  This is a result of a guy who has been working in his community and serving in every capacity for over seven years.”

Nguyen is Precinct 2.  Black, white, yellow… this is who he is.  He believes that his goals are noble.  …As he walks the streets of every neighborhood in Precinct 2 asking for the honor of a vote, calling constituents, reaching out and speaking with passion about his love for our country, state, and his community.. He is defending what is left of the American Dream.  In a world of Marti VanRavenswaay, and others that believe ownership of an elected position is won by occupation and not the will of the people… I submit to you our David with the simple sling shot – the hopes and dreams of an immigrant – and the Goliath of the Powers That Be who will try to take him down.  

For Nguyen,  his character assailed,ripped, shredded by any means that this Goliath sees necessary, yet he will still be a light…

If  Tarrant County residence can see what an outsider like myself sees and are unwavering in their support…Nguyen can lead his beloved community … a corner of his beloved country… to future success.  

Nguyen will defeat this Goliath.

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