Kay Bounkeua
Kay Bounkeua | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New Mexico House of Representatives from the 19th district | |
| In office August 25, 2021 – January 1, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Sheryl Williams Stapleton |
| Succeeded by | Janelle Anyanonu |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Viengkeo Kay Bounkeua |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of New Mexico (BS) University of Michigan (MPH) |
Viengkeo Kay Bounkeua[pronunciation?] is an American politician who served as a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives for the 19th district from 2021 to 2023. She was selected by members of the Bernalillo County Commission to succeed Sheryl Williams Stapleton, who resigned from the House amid embezzlement charges.
Early life and education
[edit]Bounkeua was raised in the Northeast Heights neighborhood of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Of Laotian Chinese descent, her parents immigrated to the United States from Laos via Thailand.[1] She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biological anthropology from the University of New Mexico and a Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan School of Public Health.[2]
Career
[edit]In 2011, Bounkeua joined the New Mexico Asian Family Center, working as director of programs and later as executive director. In April 2020, Bounkeua became the New Mexico deputy director of the Wilderness Society. She was selected to succeed Sheryl Williams Stapleton in the New Mexico House of Representatives by members of the Bernalillo County Commission in August 2021.[3][4] Upon assuming office, Bounkeua became the first Asian-American woman to serve in the New Mexico Legislature.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ Yu, Wufei (2021-08-05). "A Q&A with New Mexico's deputy director of The Wilderness Society". High Country News. Retrieved 2021-08-26.
- ^ "Kay Bounkeua | The Wilderness Society". www.wilderness.org. Retrieved 2021-08-26.
- ^ "WED: Panel Appoints Replacement To Fill New Mexico House Vacancy, + More". KUNM. 2021-08-25. Retrieved 2021-08-26.
- ^ Andy Lyman (2021-08-25). "Bernalillo County commission chooses Bounkeua to fill vacant legislative seat". The NM Political Report. Retrieved 2021-08-26.
- ^ "Kay Bounkeua First Asian American Woman in State Legislature". The Paper. Associated Press. 2021-08-25. Retrieved 2021-08-26.
- Asian-American people in New Mexico politics
- Living people
- Politicians from Albuquerque, New Mexico
- University of New Mexico alumni
- University of Michigan School of Public Health alumni
- Democratic Party members of the New Mexico House of Representatives
- Women state legislators in New Mexico
- American people of Laotian descent
- 21st-century American women politicians
- Laotian people of Chinese descent
- Asian American and Pacific Islander state legislators
- 21st-century members of the New Mexico Legislature