Adrian Tam Explained
Adrian Tam (; born September 11, 1992) is an American politician serving as a member of the Hawaii House of Representatives. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the interim Chair of the Democratic Party of Hawaii.
Early life
Tam is a second-generation Asian American of Taiwanese ancestry. His father had served as an assistant to a draftsman, and his mother worked in sales. Following graduation from Kalani High School,[1] he graduated with a degree in history from Pennsylvania State University, and upon returning to Hawaii, began working for his family's real estate company.[2] [3]
Political career
Tam worked in the Hawaii Senate for Senator Stanley Chang before running for public office in 2020.[4] [5] He defeated incumbent Tom Brower in the Democratic Party primary election,[1] [6] then won the general election for the 22nd district of the Hawaii House of Representatives against Republican Party candidate Nicholas Ochs, who previously served as the vice chairman of Donald Trump's Hawaii campaign in the 2016 United States elections, had strong support from Roger Stone and drew media attention for founding the Hawaii chapter of the Proud Boys.[7] [8] [9] [10] [11] After Tam was seated, he became the only openly gay member of the Hawaii State Legislature.[12] [13]
Following the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol, Tam and other Hawaii lawmakers signed a letter requesting rioters to be placed on the federal No Fly List.[14]
Tam is a member of the Progressive Legislative Caucus.[15]
In December 2023, Tam was elected interim Chair of the Democratic Party of Hawaii by the State Central Committee. His term ended on May 19, 2024 and was succeeded by Derek Turbin.[16]
Personal life
Tam lives with his dog, Winston.[17]
Awards and honors
In June 2021, Queerty named Tam one of its "Pride50" people "who made a positive impact in the last year and who are helping to lead the nation toward equality, acceptance, and dignity for all queer people".[18]
Notes and References
- News: Richardson . Mahealani . At just 28, newly-elected lawmaker garners national attention for breaking barriers . 12 November 2020 . Hawaii News Now.
- News: Teeman . Tim . Meet Adrian Tam, the Gay Man Who Beat a 'Proud Boys' Leader in Hawaii's Election . 12 November 2020 . Daily Beast . 5 November 2020.
- News: Gay Asian-American defeats Alt-Right extremist in Hawai'i State House race . 12 November 2020 . Los Angeles Blade . 11 November 2020.
- News: Candidate Q&A: State House District 22 — Adrian Tam . 12 November 2020 . Honolulu Civil Beat . 24 September 2020.
- Web site: 2024-01-09 . 3 throw hat in ring to fill Mizuno's district seat . 2024-01-10 . Yahoo News . en-US.
- News: Cole . William . State House Speaker Scott Saiki maintains lead over Kim Coco Iwamoto . 12 November 2020 . Star Advertiser . 8 August 2020.
- https://www.staradvertiser.com/2021/01/08/breaking-news/fbi-arrests-founder-of-proud-boys-hawaii-after-he-returns-to-islands-from-u-s-capitol-riots/ FBI arrests founder of ‘Proud Boys Hawaii’ after he returns to islands from U.S. Capitol riots
- News: Zoellner . Danielle . Gay Asian-American Democrat defeats Proud Boys leader for Hawaii House seat . https://web.archive.org/web/20201110185632/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-election-2020/adrian-tam-democrat-lgbtq-house-seat-proud-boys-b1720596.html . 2020-11-10 . limited . live . 12 November 2020 . The Independent . 11 November 2020.
- News: Dayton . Kevin . Hawaii Legislature: GOP Loses A House Seat, Stays Even In The Senate . 12 November 2020 . Honolulu Civil Beat . 3 November 2020.
- News: Tam takes House Dist. 22 seat, beating opponent associated with right wing extremist group . 12 November 2020 . KITV . 4 November 2020 . November 12, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201112184033/https://www.kitv.com/story/42865194/tam-takes-house-dist-22-seat-beating-opponent-associated-with-right-wing-extremist-group . dead .
- https://www.civilbeat.org/2021/01/nick-ochs-and-hawaii-a-harbinger-of-local-right-wing-politics-in-our-state/ Nick Ochs And Hawaii: A Harbinger Of Local, Right-Wing Politics In Our State? Is the Proud Boy an anomaly or a sign of something deeper?
- News: Venkatraman . Sakshi . Adrian Tam defeats local Proud Boys leader, becomes only gay Asian American in Hawaii House . 12 November 2020 . NBC News . 9 November 2020.
- News: Alex . Hider . 28-year-old defeats Proud Boys leader to become only openly LGBTQ+ member of Hawaii House . 12 November 2020 . WTVF . 10 November 2020.
- News: Hawaii Lawmakers Asking Capitol Rioters be Placed on No-Fly List . 9 January 2021 . BIG . 8 January 2021.
- News: Chad . Blair . Chad Blair: New Progressive Caucus Hopes To Be A Force At The Legislature . 24 November 2021 . Civil Beat . 25 January 2021.
- News: Democratic Party of Hawai'i Elects Interim Party Chair . 4 December 2023 . MauiNow . 3 December 2023.
- News: Adrian Tam Defeats One of the Proud Boys And Makes History in Hawaii: Rainbow Wave . 18 May 2021 . Logo TV . 2 April 2021.
- News: Queerty Pride50 2021 Honorees . 31 May 2021 . . 31 May 2021.
