The race that's probably gotten the most attention after newly-elected New York City Comptroller John Liu has been that of Margaret Chin in her long journey to become the City Councilmember representing New York's Chinatown. Here's a clip from Youtube from her victory speech, as well as a couple of articles.

From Asiance Magazine, "Not by the hair of her Chin-y Chin Chin":

New York City's Chinatown has elected its first Chinese-American to the City Council in a year when local campaigns have energized Asian voters. 

Democrat Margaret Chin had 87 percent of the vote with 80 percent of precincts reporting. She faced Republican Irene Horvath. 

The downtown Manhattan neighborhood is one of the biggest Chinese communities outside Asia. Chin is a community organizer and immigrant advocate.

From the Downtown Express, "Downtowners help mayor squeak by, but vote Dem in other races":

Several voters at polling sites on Henry St. said Chin’s Chinese heritage was a factor in their vote.

“She’s the right person for this neighborhood,” said Bill LaPiana, 57, who is white and has lived in Chinatown for 30 years. “The city’s great strength is everyone getting to participate. This neighborhood is long overdue.”

Another voter, Kenny Ho, 49, said Chin’s heritage was enough to win his vote. Asked why he picked her, he replied, “I have no idea, but she’s Chinese — I support her.”

Chin won 97 percent of the Asian vote in her First District race (compared to 86 percent overall), and Liu won 90 percent of the Asian vote across the city (compared to 76 percent overall), according to exit polls done by the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund.

“I feel great,” the newly elected Chin said Wednesday afternoon, though she admitted she hadn’t slept much the night before. “I just think it’s exciting, with so many new councilmembers coming in. There’s so many issues to work on — the election is over and now the work begins.”

Okay, I groaned at the title of the first article and the quote by the Asian American voter who only voted for Margaret because she was Chinese, but overall, I am still happy that Margaret has won her seat. It shows that perserverence does pay off.