On Wednesday evening, 19-year-old Kaylee May Law was sworn in as a city council member in Walnut, Southern California. She is currently the youngest Asian-American city council member in the United States.
Dozens of guests attended the inauguration ceremony at the Walnut City Hall that evening. The city’s outgoing council member Eric J. Ching and former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva stood on either side of Kaylee May Law, presiding over and witnessing her swearing-in.
Kaylee May Law was born in Walnut, with a tall stature and long flowing hair. Not only does she possess a dignified and beautiful appearance, but she is also a true academic standout. She completed middle school at Suzanne Middle School in Walnut at the age of 12 and went on to enroll in community college. She was often the youngest student in her class, but her hard work and dedication set her apart. By the age of 16, she had earned three associate degrees and a bachelor’s degree, earning her the title of “the top student among top students” by some local Chinese residents.
During the pandemic, while many struggled with the learning loss from remote education, she made the most of this time to excel academically. Most recently, she obtained a Master’s degree in Government Studies from the prestigious Johns Hopkins University in the United States.
Kaylee May Law traces her ancestry back to Hong Kong as a third-generation Chinese immigrant. Her grandfather immigrated to the United States, her father was born in the US, and her mother is of white American descent. At such a young age, how did she earn the trust of the voters and take on the responsibility of city governance?
Speaking of her successful election, Kaylee May Law expressed gratitude to those who had helped her: “I had incredible mentors who offered me invaluable advice.” She said, “I knocked on many doors, launched a true grassroots movement, which was one of the keys to my success.”
During her campaign, Kaylee May Law received strong support from the former council member Eric J. Ching. Ching, who is influential in the local community, withdrew his bid for re-election as a city council member to run for the California’s 38th Congressional District. Faced with multiple council member candidates, deciding whom to support was a question Ching deliberated on repeatedly.
“I only asked for two things: first, they must have a strong religious belief; second, they must be honest.” Ching stated that holding the position of city council member requires a solid foundation in character and capability, adding, “We have seen many council members or officials in other cities who, if their hearts are not in the right place and are driven by personal gain, often make ill-advised decisions. I do not want such a thing to happen.”
Ching found Kaylee May Law to be exceptional, stating, “Additionally, she has a kind heart, a very strong knowledge base, and some new ideas. I believe she will contribute significantly to the safety and economy of Walnut City.” He emphasized that this was also why the Walnut City voters supported Kaylee May Law.
Attending the ceremony that evening, Chinese parent Xu Shuyi felt as if she was witnessing her own child’s success. She remarked, “Seeing Eric J. Ching stepping down tonight, passing on the torch of a generation’s mission to the young generation, fills my heart with much emotion.” She cherished Kaylee May Law’s growth experience and shared the young council member’s diligent campaign efforts, visiting residents door-to-door daily.
Regarding how to nurture a daughter like Kaylee May Law, her parents shared some insights.
Kaylee May Law’s mother, Janel Law, mentioned that her daughter had been interested in politics since childhood. She said, “We have strived to follow her interests, encouraging her to explore everything that piques her interest.” Janel explained, “Children aren’t always sure of what they want. So we encourage them to try everything to find where their passions lie.”
Kaylee May Law’s father, William Law, emphasized the importance of finding what one truly loves or what a child is genuinely passionate about, stating, “and (as parents), we support them to go further in what they love.”
In addition to encouraging children to find their passions, they began teaching Kaylee May Law to volunteer and engage in charity work from a young age, helping those in need. “We are proud and delighted with everything she has accomplished,” William Law stated.
He agreed with a friend’s perspective: “They said that the city council and community service are very similar; essentially, you are working for the people, and all you do is help others.” William concluded, “As long as she (Kaylee May Law) has solid professional ethics, wants to help others— which she certainly does—I believe she will excel in this role by helping others.”