French
DeutschRui Xu
Rui Xu | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Kansas House of Representatives from the 25th district | |
| Assumed office January 8, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Melissa Rooker |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Rui Xu 1989 (age 35–36) Switzerland |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | University of Southern California[1] |
| Occupation | Sports analyst |
Rui Xu (born 1989) is a Chinese American politician. He is a Democratic member of the Kansas House of Representatives for the 25th district since 2019.
He is the first Chinese American to serve in the Kansas Legislature and the only Asian American currently serving.
Early life and education
[edit]Xu was born in 1989 in Switzerland before moving to Rolla, Missouri. When he was twelve became a US citizen.[2]
Xu studied economics at the University of Southern California.[2]
Political career
[edit]Rui was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives for the first time in 2018, defeating incumbent Republican Melissa Rooker.[3] With the victory Xu became the first Chinese American to serve in the Kansas Legislature.[4] As of the 2024 election cycle he is the only Asian American currently serving.[5]
In 2020 and 2022, Xu ran for the seat unopposed.[6][7] In 2024, he ran against Republican challenger Greg J. Schoofs.[8]
Kansas House Committee Assignments
[edit]Xu has served on the Kansas House committees for Agriculture, Education, Higher Education Budget, and Financial Institutions and Pensions.[2] He also served on the 2020 Special Committee on Kansas Mental Health Modernization.[9]
Political positions
[edit]Xu is a member of the Democratic party. He opposes restrictions to abortions, he was against the 2022 Kansas abortion referendum which sought to restrict abortion in the state.[10] He has been endorsed by the nonprofit health services organization Planned Parenthood.[11]
Xu has proposed several bills to address climate change. He supports expanding LGBTQ rights in Kansas, condemning the passage of a bill that restricted same-sex couples from adopting children.[11]
Reference
[edit]- ^ "Meet Rui". Rui Xu for Kansas. Archived from the original on October 6, 2019. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Meet Rui – Rui Xu for Kansas". Rui Xu for Kansas. Archived from the original on October 6, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
- ^ Korte, Lara (February 8, 2019). "Former State Rep. Melissa Rooker named executive director of Kansas Children's Cabinet". The Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on February 12, 2019. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
- ^ Ritter, Sarah (October 21, 2019). "5 KC area candidates never imagined running for office. Then they worked for Davids". The Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
- ^ "Asian American Kansas lawmaker says he was threatened at bar". NBC News. March 23, 2021. Archived from the original on January 27, 2025. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
- ^ "2020 General Election Official Vote Totals" (PDF). Kansas Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
- ^ "2022 General Election Official Vote Totals" (PDF). Kansas Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
- ^ "2024 General Election Official Vote Totals" (PDF). Kansas Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 6, 2025. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
- ^ "Representative Rui Xu". Kansas State Legislature. Archived from the original on April 3, 2025. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
- ^ "Kansas House District 25 candidates on the issues: Abortion". Johnson County Post. October 16, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
- ^ a b "Issues". Rui Xu for Kansas. Archived from the original on June 24, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2025.