Boston, Jan. 28, 2016, — Boston Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz today endorsed Democrat Diana Hwang for State Senate. Hwang, a local non-profit founder and former State House staffer, is a candidate to replace Anthony Petruccelli in the Democratic primary special election for Massachusetts’ First Suffolk and Middlesex State Senate District.
Diana Hwang, candidate for State Senate (file photo).
“I’m excited to strongly endorse Diana Hwang for State Senate. I have worked with Diana at the State House and seen, firsthand, the work she has done to mentor young women — she has the experience at the State House, in City Hall and as a nonprofit leader to hit the ground running. She will work tirelessly on behalf of each and every family across the First Suffolk and Middlesex district” Chang-Diaz said. “Diana’s story is one that so many share, including myself. She grew up in a family of immigrants who struggled to stay in the middle class, and she can relate to families all across this diverse district, whether their families came to our communities a century ago or in the past decade. Diana has spent her career mentoring young, mostly low-income women and helping to make government accessible for everyone, even those who are often marginalized. We can trust Diana to be a real advocate for women, for immigrants, and for everyone as a State Senator.”
“Senator Chang-Diaz’s work reflects the values I have advanced in my career – especially by effecting change of the system by working within it. I’m so honored to have her endorsement” Hwang remarked. “Earning the support and confidence of both Boston Senators, Sonia Chang-Diaz and Linda Dorcena Forry means so much to me because they have two of the strongest records when it comes to improving the lives of all working families. These endorsements reflect the type of Senator I will be – one who works each and every day to improve the lives of the people I hope to represent at the State House.”
Chang-Diaz, first elected in 2008, has been a champion for women, girls, and immigrants as a State Senator representing Boston from the South End through Jamaica Plain and Mattapan. Prior to redistricting in 2010, she also represented Chinatown, Bay Village, Beacon Hill and the Back Bay which are now part of the First Suffolk and Middlesex District. As chair of the Joint Committee on Education, Chang-Diaz has been a leader in improving public education for all students and working to close the achievement gap. The endorsement is Diana’s second high-profile endorsement from a sitting state senator. Senator Chang-Diaz joins Boston State Senator Linda Dorcena Forry, who endorsed Hwang’s candidacy last week. Notably, Senators Chang-Diaz and Forry, both of Boston, are the only women of color in the Massachusetts State Senate. Diana Hwang would be the third. Hwang’s campaign continues to pick up momentum heading into an April 12th special election primary.
The daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, Diana Hwang is the founder of the Asian-American Women’s Political Initiative – the country’s first political leadership organization for young Asian-American women. She previously served as a legislative aide in the State House and a Chief of Staff in the Boston City Council. Diana serves as Board member of the UMass Center for Women in Politics, served as co-chair of the Boston Women’s Fund and is a founding member of Mayor Walsh’s Women’s Commission. Diana currently lives in East Boston and previously lived in Revere.