Bangkok-born Tammy Duckworth becomes a US senator

Bangkok-born (and former ISB student) Democratic US Rep Tammy Duckworth unseated Republican US Sen Mark Kirk in the US elections in Illinois, becoming the first Thai-American senator in the US Senate.

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Thai-American war vet Tammy elected to Senate

Associated Press and VOA Thai

CHICAGO – Thailand-born Democratic US Rep Tammy Duckworth unseated Republican US Sen Mark Kirk in the US elections.

The two-term congresswoman entered the race a heavy favourite, as Illinois has long backed Democrats for statewide office, especially in presidential election years.

Ms Duckworth is an Iraq War combat veteran who lost her legs and partial use of her right arm when the Blackhawk helicopter she was piloting crashed during a mission. The victory makes Ms Duckworth the first Thailand-born senator in the US upper house.

Final results were not in, but Ms Duckworth was leading with 55% of the vote, with Mr Kirk picking up just 40%. Third-party candidates and write-ins accounted for the rest.

Ms Duckworth, daughter of a Thai mother and American father, visited Thailand after her election to the House of Representatives in 2012. She is a member of the Democratic Party and was a strong supporter of Hillary Clinton for president.

Speaking at a victory party in Chicago Wednesday (Thailand time), Ms Duckworth recalled the day 12 years ago when the helicopter she was co-piloting in Iraq was shot down.

She lost both legs but survived thanks to members of her unit who carried her to safety, one of whom was in the crowd to help celebrate.

"Just as I try every day to live up to the sacrifice my buddies made to carry me off that battlefield, I will go to work in the Senate looking to honour the sacrifice and quiet dignity of all those Illinoisans who are facing challenges of their own," she said.

"I believe in an America that doesn't give up on anyone who hasn't given up on themselves."

Ms Duckworth has been close with the Asian community in her constituency where the population is racially diverse. She said the community has been supporting her campaign since she ran for a seat in the Lower House.

You can hear Ms Duckworth speak Thai after about a one-minute very interesting introduction:

She highlighted her culturally-diverse background to win votes from the Thai community in the state.

The Thai service of Voice of America recorded a fund-raising event that a Thai community organised for Ms Duckworth in Illinois in September, during which she said, "I am proud to be born in Thailand. I am proud to speak Thai. I spoke Thai before I spoke English … I am proud of my diverse background."

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