Wu's Win A New Chapter In Asian American Political Power: The HUB

The HUB is a daily newsletter designed for what you want — to be caught up on the most interesting, important news in 5 minutes or less. It's a little bit of this, a little bit of that, but if there's something you want more or less of, email me at jimmy.bentley@patch.com.

Today is Wednesday, November 3. Let's get started.

Michelle Wu's win in the mayoral race is not only historic because she's the first woman or person of color elected to the office. It also writes a new chapter in U.S. history about political power for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Although Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are the nation's fastest-growing portion of the electorate, they remain significantly underrepresented when it comes to holding political office.

"Growing up, I never ever thought that I would or could or should be involved in politics,” Wu said while speaking to reporters Tuesday morning. "I didn’t see anyone who looked like me in spaces of power."

But those who know Wu, like Roger Lau, the deputy executive director of the Democratic National Committee, told the Boston Globe Wu didn't build her political persona on identity alone, but also by using a progressive vision that united a broad coalition of people across a variety of demographics. Lau said Wu has connected with Black and Latino voters since her first campaign for Boston City Council.

"I think that the Chinese community and Asian community are incredibly proud to see her doing all the things that she’s doing," Lau told the Globe. "But she has made a really conscious effort to be an elected representative for all those underserved, underrepresented, who haven’t had a seat at the table."

Read more from the Boston Globe.

Top stories

Boston authorities removed 16 tents and arrested three men Monday from the Mass and Cass homeless encampment. The removals and arrests marked the first day of a new approach to clearing a site officials have said presents a public health and safety crisis. At the same time, the controversial new approach has been criticized by advocates, doctors, and researchers, who say the approach is overly punitive, and effectively criminalizes homelessness, despite a stated desire not to. (Boston Patch)

Celebrity chef Mario Batali's trial on a sexual misconduct charge in Boston has been set for April. The trial will take place April 11 in Boston Municipal Court, Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins' office said Tuesday after a hearing. Batali pleaded not guilty to indecent assault and battery on allegations that he forcibly kissed and groped a woman after taking a selfie with her at a Boston restaurant in 2017. (Boston Patch)

Tufts University School of Medicine in Chinatown was evacuated Tuesday afternoon due to a haze caused by fire in a walk-in refrigerator, the Boston Fire Department reports. Firefighters were called to 136 Harrison Street at 4 p.m. for a Level 2 Hazmat response, to investigate an unknown haze on the seventh floor. Crews evacuated the entire building as a precaution. (Boston Patch)

In other election news

Most cities and towns in Massachusetts vote for their school committee members, but in Boston they're appointed. But Boston residents made the fact they want change crystal clear with their overwhelming support of switching to an election model in a non-binding ballot question Tuesday. It passed with over 79 percent support, according to unofficial results. (Boston.com)

Olympians in Boston

The silver medal-winning USA women's gymnastic's team is making a stop at the TD Garden for a show Sunday. But before they do, NBC10 Boston got a chance to speak with team member Jordan Chiles. Chiles told the television station what fans should expect from the show and opened up about mental health issues gymnasts often deal with. (NBC 10 Boston)

Elsewhere in Massachusetts

Police Tuesday morning arrested a fugitive in Waltham charged with a May shooting homicide in Texas, Massachusetts State Police said. Officers arrested Eugene Reid, 40, who is wanted for the fatal shooting of a nightclub employee in Corpus Christi, Texas on May 13. He was arraigned in Massachusetts, but will be extradited to Texas, authorities said. (Waltham Patch)

Weather: The National Weather Service says increasing clouds, with a high near 52. West wind, 6 to 10 mph.

– Jimmy Bentley

About me: Jimmy Bentley is a Massachusetts and Rhode Island field editor for Patch covering Cape Cod, Braintree, Barrington, East Greenwich, East Providence and North Kingstown. He was a reporter at the Plympton-Halifax Express and interned for Patch while earning his master's at Emerson College. In his free time, Jimmy hits concerts (sometimes reviewing them for Patch), watches movies and plays ice hockey.