Richard Pan is heading to Congress from Sacramento. The Democrat won California's 6th District and will become the first Chinese American to hold that seat.

His victory also lifts the number of Chinese American lawmakers serving together in Congress to six for the first time.

A wider Asian American bench

Four Chinese American House members were already on the ballot this cycle for reelection including Judy Chu Vince Fong Ted Lieu and Grace Meng. Sen. Tammy Duckworth who identifies as Thai and Chinese was not up this year.

Pan took about 57.5% of the vote. Republican Kevin Kiley conceded on election night and congratulated him on representing the district.

What he says comes next

Pan said he is proud to help grow Asian American representation and pledged to work on household costs health care access and defending democratic norms.

Grace Meng who chairs the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus said the midterm class leaves the caucus with its highest number of Asian American and Pacific Islander members yet. She said the group will keep pressing needs of those communities in the next Congress.

Pan takes office in January after a career that already included service in the California Senate representing the Sacramento area.