Quang Nguyen Explained

Quang H. Nguyen (born 1962) is a Vietnamese-American businessman and politician serving as a Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives for District 1 since 2021. The district includes most of Yavapai County and some of Maricopa County.

Nguyen has served as chair of the House Judiciary Committee since 2022.^[1] Nguyen is a member of the Oath Keepers.

Early life and education

Quang Nguyen was born in South Vietnam in 1962 and left at 12 years old after the fall of Saigon.^{[2] [3]} Nguyen graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a bachelor's degree in technology education.^[4]

Early career

Prior to becoming an elected official, Nguyen founded marketing firm Caddis Advertising. He was also active in public speaking and conservative causes. He is a member of the Oath Keepers, a far-right organization.

Arizona House of Representatives

Nguyen first ran for Arizona House of Representatives in District 1 in 2020. He placed first in a crowded Republican primary with 30.4% of the total vote.^[5] Along with Judy Burges, he won the general election and defeated Democrat Judy Stahl.^[6] Nguyen was reelected in 2022.

Tenure

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Arizona, Nguyen signed onto a letter urging Governor Doug Ducey to punish school districts that enforce a mask mandate on students.^{[7] [8]}

Nguyen is anti-abortion, anti-vaccine card, and supports tax cuts.^[9] He strongly opposes communism, citing his experience living in Saigon during the Vietnam War.^[10] In November 2021, he sponsored House Bill (HB) 2008 that would require the Arizona State Board of Education to update high school civics curriculum to include anti-communist narratives from people who, like Nguyen, fled communist countries.^[11] On its initial third hearing, the legislation failed to pass the Senate floor, but on reconsideration, it passed with 16 ayes and 12 nays. Ducey signed it into law on June 17, 2022.^[12]

Following his reelection in 2022, Quang was appointed chair of the House Judiciary Committee.

Committee assignments

In the fifty-fifth Legislature session (2021-2023), Nguyen served on the following committees^[13]

• Military Affairs and Public Safety (Vice-chairman)
• Appropriations
• Education
• Judiciary

Electoral history

Personal life

Nguyen is Catholic.^[14] He lives in Prescott Valley with his wife Mai, a registered nurse.^[15] Their daughter is in the United States Navy.

External links

• Ballotpedia
• Campaign Website
• Legislature Website

Notes and References

1. Web site: Rodriguez . Diego . Rep. Quang Nguyen is unfit to lead this crucial legislative committee . 2023-10-30 . The Arizona Republic . en-US.
2. Web site: House GOP bill requires lessons on evils of communism. June 26, 2021. August 19, 2021. Fischer. Howard. Arizona Capitol Times.
3. Web site: More than a third of America's millennials approve of communism. Wood. Robert. July 22, 2021. August 19, 2021. The Washington Times.
4. Web site: Yavapai GOP: 2020 Candidates. August 19, 2021.
5. Web site: In surprise, Quang Nguyen leads crowded House race in LD1. Kimbel-Sannit. Arren. August 4, 2020. August 19, 2021.
6. Web site: Arizona, Coconino and Yavapai counties post early Election 2020 results. November 3, 2021. August 19, 2021. Fox Graham. Christopher. Sedona Red Rock News.
7. Web site: Amid COVID-19 surge, Arizona Republicans call on Gov. Ducey to punish school districts with mask mandates. August 11, 2021. August 19, 2021. Martinez. Jennifer. Miller. Bailey. FOX-10.
8. Web site: Rep. Nutt is one of a group of legislators calling to withhold federal funding to schools that implement a mask policy. August 12, 2021. August 19, 2021. Johnson. Jon. The Gila Herald.
9. Web site: Prescott Talks – Interview with Rep. Quang Nguyen, Arizona, LD-1. May 22, 2021. August 19, 2021. Martin. Glenn. Prescott eNews.
10. Web site: Arizona GOP legislator, a Vietnamese refugee, rebuts claim white nationalism a bigger threat than communism. July 2, 2021. August 19, 2021. McFall. Caitlin. FOX News.
11. News: Arizona bill would require civics lessons from those who fled }} countries]. The Arizona Daily News. June 26, 2021. August 15, 2022.
12. News: Neil. Jones. New Arizona Law Aims to Require Anti-Communist Civics Education in Arizona High Schools. The Tennessee Star. June 19, 2022. August 15, 2022.
13. Web site: House Member: Quang H. Nguyen. August 19, 2021. Arizona State Legislature.
14. Web site: New Catholic Elected Officials Hope to Lead with Faith. Jonathan. Liedl. November 18, 2020. February 10, 2022. National Catholic Register.
15. Web site: Meet the Candidate: Quang Nguyen. August 19, 2021. Center for Arizona Policy.