Political Experience

Former mayor of Westminster

Mayor Tri Ta was elected on November 6, 2018 to serve his fourth term as mayor. Mayor Ta was first elected to the Westminster City Council in November 2006 and re-elected in 2010.  In 2008, he was selected to serve as Mayor Pro Tem. Mayor Ta became the first Vietnamese-American elected mayor in the United States with his victory on November 6, 2012; he was re-elected as mayor in November 2014 and 2016.

Tri Ta was born in Saigon, Vietnam. He came to the United States with his family in 1992 at the age of 19. He then received a B.A. in Political Science and has completed the requirements for an M.A. in International Relations. Tri appreciates the opportunities given to him by the political process and democracy in the United States, leading him to begin working as a legislative representative in 1998. That position gave Tri his first glimpse at the mainstream political operation and hands-on experience in helping many people from different backgrounds with various issues.

From 1998 to 2006, Tri worked as a career consultant and then an employment counselor enabling him to help numerous families from all ethnic groups become self-sufficient and less reliant on public assistance by developing better job searching skills, and/or adequate vocational training to obtain sustainable employment. He also helped with a variety of supportive services such as transportation, childcare, housing, shelter, ancillary and much more. Tri’s dedication, integrity, and professionalism has always been recognized by his coworkers and clients.

Mayor Ta is passionate about increasing revenues and supporting businesses in the City. He is dedicated to conserving the fiscal health of the City and working towards solving issues such as homelessness. He hopes to accomplish a healthy budget while responding efficiently to community concerns.

Tri Ta is a dedicated husband and father. He met his wife, Anh Doan by what he calls “an act of destiny,” and together they have journeyed through many challenging paths.