COLUMBUS — Central Ohio is home to the largest Bhutanese-Nepali community in the United States — and now it’s home to the nation’s first Bhutanese-Nepali elected official, as Reynoldsburg City Councilman Bhuwan Pyakurel was sworn into office today, along with the first African-American women elected to city council, Council President Angie Jenkins, Councilwoman Meredith Lawson-Rowe and Councilwoman Shanette Strickland.
“Reynoldsburg is a diverse and growing suburban community in central Ohio, and for decades, Republicans dominated the local offices,” said Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper. “In 2019, Democratic candidates for mayor, city attorney and council swept their races, flipping this former GOP stronghold, as we have seen in many suburban communities across Ohio.
“The victories of Councilman Bhuwan Pyakurel, Council President Angie Jenkins, Councilwoman Meredith Lawson-Rowe and Councilwoman Shanette Strickland represent what’s great about the Democratic Party and what’s great about America — that our diversity makes us stronger. We’re proud of their historic achievement and look forward to seeing their accomplishments as public servants.”
READ MORE:
- Columbus Dispatch: Three black women, Nepali-Bhutanese make history with wins in Reynoldsburg City Council race
- Columbus Dispatch: Editorial: New council members in Reynoldsburg continue making history
- WOSU: Reynoldsburg Makes History With America’s First Nepali-Bhutanese Elected Official
- Columbus Underground: The Country’s First Bhutanese Official Marks a Changing Suburb