From Refugee to Fighter
This is the American Dream in action.
The Journey to Freedom
In 1985, I was 5 years old when my family fled communist Vietnam. I don't just have stories about communism—I have memories. I remember my mother's tears at the refugee camp. I remember the fear of not knowing if we'd ever be free. I remember what it costs to lose your country, and what it takes to reclaim your life.
I didn't just hear stories about communism—I lived through it. I was old enough to understand. I remember the propaganda posters on every corner. I remember my parents whispering at night, afraid the walls were listening. I remember the moment we fled in the dark, knowing we might never come back. That fear never leaves you. I won't let America become the country I had to escape.
My parents chose freedom over everything else—their home, their business, their extended family. Thirty months in refugee camps waiting to see if America would let us in. Thirty months of uncertainty. When we finally arrived, my father had $20 in his pocket. That was it. No network. No connections. No Plan B. Just determination and belief in the American Dream.
Growing up in Orange County, I watched my parents work multiple jobs to make ends meet. They didn't speak English fluently, but they spoke the universal language of hard work. They taught me that freedom isn't free, and the American Dream isn't given—it's earned.
That's why I'll never take America for granted. I didn't just hear stories about communism—I lived it. I've seen what people will risk to escape it. I know exactly what we stand to lose if we don't fight for it.
Building the American Dream
My family taught me the American Dream wasn't a gift—it was something you had to build. I built it.
After college, I started a car rental business from scratch. My parents had instilled in me that America is where hard work actually pays off. No trust fund. No family connections. No shortcuts. Just 12-hour days and the belief that if I worked harder than everyone else, I'd succeed.
That business taught me things Washington needs to know. I've navigated California's regulatory maze. I've had to cut jobs because taxes went up. I've watched a single permit delay cost thousands in lost revenue. I've signed the front of paychecks AND watched them shrink in bad months. Congress needs someone who understands that every regulation they pass gets paid for in real lives.
I created jobs. I served customers. I navigated the maze of permits, licenses, and red tape. That's the experience Washington desperately needs.
Serving Westminster
When I saw my community struggling, I didn't wait for someone else to fix it. I ran for City Council.
On the Westminster City Council, I've fought for fiscal responsibility and public safety. I've seen how government can either help or hinder the American Dream. I've worked with police to keep our streets safe. I've pushed back against wasteful spending. I've stood up for small business owners who just want a fair shot.
Now I'm ready to take that fight to Congress. CA-45 deserves a representative who understands what's at stake—because I've lived it.
Why I'm Running
In 2024, CA-45 was decided by just 653 votes. An incumbent who doesn't represent our values.
I'm running because someone has to fight back. Someone who knows what's at stake. Someone who's lived the American Dream and will defend it with everything she's got.