On October 25th, the Chinese-American Elected Officials Association (CEO) held a Chinese-American elected officials candidate luncheon in Monterey Park. Eight candidates from different districts and running for different roles elaborated on their beliefs and viewpoints, highlighting the active involvement of Chinese-American candidates in public affairs. They aim to use their diverse backgrounds and expertise to benefit the community and showcase the influence and power of the Chinese-American community in American politics.
In recent years, Chinese-Americans have been actively participating in discussions on social issues and have been increasingly visible on political stages such as city councils, state governments, and even at the federal level. Political consultants Luis Alvarado and Andrew Pina introduced the candidates and encouraged Chinese-American voters to participate in voting to support the growth and development of these representatives.
Sabrina Bow, a candidate for City Council in the 2nd District of Azusa, emphasized the importance of street safety and clean parks as a mother of two children. As an educator, she is committed to engaging young people in positive activities to reduce gang violence. She hopes to utilize her values of hard work, helping others, and giving back to ensure that taxpayer money is used in the right places through her candidacy.
Tony Yeh, running for the Torrance Unified School District (TUSD) Board, believes schools should not only prioritize student safety on campus but also teach them real-life skills such as money management, email writing, essay composition, and communication skills from an early age. He also proposed redeveloping an old adult school in Torrance, providing affordable housing for education workers to address housing affordability issues faced by teachers and prevent talent drain.
David Fu, a candidate for City Council in the 1st District of Arcadia and a lawyer, has held various key positions in the past 20 years, actively engaging in community service. Endorsed by the City Police Association and Firefighters Association, Fu believes his experience will contribute to serving on the city council, pledging to be a diligent public servant.
Paul Cheng, a candidate for re-election in the 4th District of Arcadia and also a lawyer, has been dedicated to maintaining community safety during his term. Supported by the City Police Association and Firefighters Association, Cheng emphasizes the importance of unity in making Arcadia a safe, prosperous, and united city if elected.
Mindy Yeh, running for Director of the 2nd District of the Upper San Gabriel Valley Water District, aims to become the first Chinese-American water board member. Her campaign focuses on ensuring more transparency in water district operations, providing reliable, clean, and affordable water resources for the community. She has promised to prioritize water conservation measures, improve infrastructure, and ensure access to basic resources for everyone.
Kaylee Law, an 18-year-old candidate for City Council in Walnut, hopes to continue pursuing the “American Dream” with the sacrifices made by her parents and grandparents, allowing her to receive a good education in the United States. She aims to apply her education for the benefit of the community, living up to her family’s sacrifices by serving the citizens and giving back to society.
Diana Zhao, a candidate for City Council in Walnut with extensive government and corporate work experience, actively participates in community activities and various organizations. Operating a business while being a licensed clinical social worker, she excels at listening and helping people solve problems. Zhao hopes to bring more features to Walnut, such as pet parks, trail parks, diverse food courts, restaurants from different ethnicities, and beautiful downtown lighting to ensure a safe and harmonious city. She prioritizes city safety, maintains financial health, and enhances connections between community institutions.
Lee Sun, who has lived in Irvine for over 20 years, is running for Mayor of the city. While Irvine is recognized as one of the safest cities in the United States, there has been an increase in theft cases in recent years, leading to growing concerns among residents. He intends to strengthen the city’s safety net by closely collaborating with local police departments and district attorneys. Sun has pledged to enhance the Neighborhood Watch program if elected, aiding residents in better safeguarding their community. With a long history of service on the Investment Advisory Committee and Financial Committee in Irvine, Sun has actively participated in various municipal meetings to advocate for the interests of citizens. He advocates for increased affordable housing with sensible planning to preserve Irvine’s existing community structure and prevent negative impacts of overdevelopment.