John Liu (Courtesy: John Liu's Web site)

NYC could elect 1st Asian to office

Citywide office may see first Asian take position

Updated: Tuesday, 03 Nov 2009, 3:15 PM EST
Published : Tuesday, 03 Nov 2009, 3:14 PM EST

NEW YORK (AP) - New York City is poised to elect its first Asian-American to citywide office.

Democrat John Liu is expected to easily defeat his Republican challenger, Joe Mendola, in Tuesday's election for comptroller.

Liu's family emigrated from Taiwan when he was a child.

He has served on the City Council since 2002, representing parts of Queens. He also was the first Asian-American on the council.

Mendola is a lawyer who has not held public office. The comptroller audits city agencies and oversees the municipal pension system.