Joseph Cao

Joseph Cao, born on March thirteenth, nineteen sixty-seven, is a distinguished Vietnamese-American politician, lawyer, teacher, and advocate. He made history as the first Vietnamese American and the first native of Vietnam to serve in the United States Congress, representing Louisiana's second congressional district from two thousand nine to two thousand eleven.

A member of the Republican Party, Cao gained notable recognition for being the only Republican congressman to support the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, during its initial vote in November two thousand nine. This decision highlighted his willingness to cross party lines on significant legislative matters.

In April two thousand eleven, Cao announced his intention to run for the office of Attorney General of Louisiana. However, he withdrew from the race in September of the same year. Later, in December two thousand fifteen, he declared his candidacy for the open U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Republican David Vitter in two thousand sixteen. Despite his efforts, Cao finished eleventh in the primary, which was not sufficient to advance to the general election.