Sokhary Chau (pronuniciation: So-Ka-Ree Chao) is a Cambodian born American politician. In 2022, the City Council of Lowell, Massachusetts elected him to become the next mayor, becoming the first American mayor of Cambodian descent to hold the position in Lowell, as well as the first in the United States.[3][1][2]
Sokhary Chau | |
|---|---|
| 93rd Mayor of Lowell, Massachusetts | |
| In office January 3, 2022[1][2] – January 2, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | John Leahy |
| Succeeded by | Daniel Rourke |
| Member of the Lowell City Council | |
| Assumed office 2019 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Cambodia |
| Residence(s) | Lowell, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Profession | Politician, Businessman |
Early life and education
Chau was born to a middle class family in Cambodia, in Battambang province.[4] On April 17, 1975, his father was executed by the Khmer Rouge when Dictator Pol Pot, stormed into Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital.[5]
Much of his early childhood was spent in extreme hardship and fear, almost losing two of his brothers to executions. Despite these circumstances, his family escaped Cambodia in 1979 under the cover of night through land mine laced jungles to a Thai refugee camp. [1]
In 1981 he, his mother, and his seven brothers emigrated to the United States, eventually settling in Lowell.[6] As a child, he attended Lowell Public Schools and Phillips Academy, graduating in 1992.[6]
He attended Macalaster College in Minnesota.[7]
Political/Business Career
He was elected to a 2-year term on Lowell City Council in 2019 and re-elected in 2021.[8]
Members of the City Council appointed him Mayor of Lowell in January 2022.[7]
He is the current chair of the USA-Cambodia Sports Association.[9]
In November 2023, he announced that he would run for the Middlesex County Register of Deeds seat that will become vacant in 2024.[10]