Tram Nguyen Seeking Re-Election To Massachusetts House

Tram T. Nguyen

Age (as of Election Day)

36

Position sought

State Representative, 18th Essex District

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Resides in Andover with husband Nathan and their two dogs, Sunny and Bruno

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

BA, Tufts University
JD, Northeastern University
Working on MPA, Harvard Kennedy School of Government (expected May 2024)

Occupation

Current State Representative, 4 years
Previous: Attorney, Greater Boston Legal Services, 5 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Current State Representative, 18th Essex District

Campaign website

votetram.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

As an attorney with Greater Boston Legal Services, I represented workers, survivors of domestic violence, children, seniors and veterans. I saw how good policy helped people and lack of policy hurt them. So I advocated for policies at the State Capitol, helping to secure the passage of legislation such as paid family medical leave, bilingual education, and an increase in earned income tax credit (EITC).

From this experience, I saw that passing legislation at the State House could help many communities, so I decided to run for State Representative. I was elected in 2018, and immediately faced several crises, including the aftermath of the Merrimack Valley gas explosions and, of course, COVID-19. I have spent two terms helping constituents through these crises, from helping survivors obtain temporary stoves and heaters, to helping those laid off during the pandemic qualify for unemployment.

Still, there is so much more work to do. If re-elected, I will continue to pursue financial relief for working families, preserve reproductive freedom and LGBTQ rights, and protect our community from climate change.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The impact of inflation on the economy and working families. It is essential to ensure that the economic recovery from COVID-19 is equitable for all. Workers should feel safe on the job and should have access to benefits including healthcare and paid leave; working families should have access to good, reliable child care; and everyone who works should be paid a fair wage. During the pandemic, many companies have recorded record profits. To fight inflation, we must tackle the issue of price gouging.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

First, my experience. As the vice-chair of the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development, I have and will continue to prioritize helping working families. In two terms I've passed five bills, brought millions in funding back to the district for transportation, schools, senior centers, electric charging stations and more, and I've helped thousands of constituents with state-related issues like unemployment and roadway issues. I have supported balanced state budgets every year of my terms, including FY2021, which was severely affected by COVID, and I have helped the Commonwealth move toward economic recovery with responsible budgets since then.

Second, my focus on working families, and on fighting for their safety and their opportunities. I have passed bills helping unemployed workers, and filed a bill strengthening protections for injured workers, which I hope to pass in the next session. I strongly support legislation combatting wage theft and supporting workers' rights. My goal in the next session, is to make childcare accessible and affordable for all working families, and to advocate for policies that support small businesses and strengthen our local economy.

Third, I am a strong advocate for our public schools, which provide a path to success for all students. I unequivocally support reproductive freedom and LGBTQ rights. My purpose has always been to build an inclusive and welcoming community for all.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

1. As a member of the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Use and Recovery, I am committed to seeking solutions for the opioid epidemic in our Commonwealth, and to addressing the need for mental healthcare for everyone, especially our young people who have struggled during the pandemic.

2. My bill to address sewage overflows in the Merrimack River was voted favorably out of committee, and I hope to pass it in the next session. We need to protect our precious natural resources and work toward clean, green energy solutions.

3. Equality, diversity and inclusion are important to me and most of my constituents. This includes everything from providing important notices in multiple languages, to offering inclusive and accurate curricula in our schools, to reforming our hate crimes statutes so that perpetrators are held accountable.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Prior to taking office, as a legal aid attorney, I advocated for paid family medical leave, bilingual education and an earned income tax credit. As a State Rep, I have passed three bills helping workers through the COVID economy and two bills helping victims of sexual violence. I have brought millions in state funding back to our district, for everything from repairing roads and bridges, to building new senior centers, to installing electric vehicle charging stations in public parking lots.

Working in a 160-member legislative body requires collaboration and teamwork. I have built relationships with my colleagues and earned a reputation as a hard worker and a thoughtful leader, and I am rising in seniority. That experience will help me be an even more effective legislator in the next term.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

"Be true to your beliefs and never lose sight of who you are." My roots in my working-class immigrant family led me to appreciate every opportunity to work hard and succeed. My background gives me insight into the struggles of others, especially as inflation has surged, and a strong desire to ensure that everyone has access to opportunities to succeed. I am secure in my hard-won values, and not afraid to take a strong stand in defense of vulnerable populations.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am happy to talk to any constituent about any issue that matters to them. I look forward to learning about issues that I am unfamiliar with. I will do the research, speak with experts and work hard to find solutions to the most difficult problems, whether they affect one constituent or the entire Commonwealth.

If voters have any questions, they can visit my website votetram.com or contact me at info@votetram.com. I am always happy to share my reasons for the positions I have taken on important issues.