Blong Xiong handily won election to the Fresno City Council on Tuesday, becoming the first Hmong in California to win a city council seat.
He also will become the first Asian-American to sit on the Fresno City Council when he is sworn into office Jan. 2 during the board's first meeting of 2007.
Xiong will replace termed-out Tom Boyajian as west-central Fresno's representative.
Xiong bested Scott Miller by nearly 600 votes.
The candidates' campaigns were hard-fought but friendly. Both men remained amicable at the finish.
"We're very excited. And I want to thank Scott for a well-run campaign," Xiong said over a wild cacophony of applause, shouts and popping balloons at his election party.
Xiong added that Fresno's District 1 residents should "know that I am going to work hard for them."
Xiong and his supporters celebrated at the Million Elephant Cafe and Bar. The Tower District restaurant, decorated in red and white balloons, was packed.
"I think we are making history tonight," said Peter Vang, Fresno County's refugee community liaison.
The scene was quieter at Miller's nearby home, where he laid low with his wife and two young children.
"It's time for me to congratulate Blong," Miller said early this morning. "He ran a great campaign. He's a great guy, and I'll be behind him 100%."
During their campaigns, both candidates agreed that District 1's neighborhoods — their streets, sidewalks and gutters — need help.
Xiong, 37, said older neighborhoods need a bigger slice of the city's budget.
Miller, 35, wanted to put more money into tree pruning and root trimming.
A 46% raise in council members' annual salaries made outside jobs an issue in the race.
Council members who begin terms in January will be paid $65,000, an increase from $44,511 this year. The raises were adopted so Fresno's elected officials can make city service a full-time job.
Xiong pledged to quit his job as a deputy director of the Fresno Center for New Americans to concentrate on City Council duties.
Miller, who owns two nurseries, had said he would work extra hard to run his businesses and still be a full-time council member.
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