As the United States presidential election draws nearer, the local city council elections are also heating up. In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in interest and willingness among the Chinese community to participate in politics, with more and more young generations stepping into the realm of elections, hoping to utilize their education to give a voice to the traditionally overlooked “silent minority.”
Kaylee May Law, an 18-year-old with a Master’s degree in Government from Johns Hopkins University, has announced her candidacy for Walnut City Council, aiming to stand out in the competition of 6 seats for 3 positions.
Law, a native of Walnut City, is the youngest candidate in the city’s history. Her father hails from Hong Kong, and she herself has obtained three associate degrees from Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC), followed by a Bachelor of Legal Studies from Grand Canyon University. Law was a swimmer in the 2022 Youth Olympics and currently serves as the Operations Director for the charitable organization Walnut Purist Group, as well as a board member of the charity “Walnut City Chinese Association.”
Despite her young age, Law possesses a wealth of administrative knowledge and experience. She enjoyed her time at Johns Hopkins University, balancing coursework with various legal work in the government sector. Many professors at the university hold cabinet positions, and Law has greatly benefitted from their guidance. She believes that while most discussions focus on federal issues, all problems eventually trickle down to the local level, which is one of the reasons driving her participation in the city council elections.
In Law’s view, being a city council member is more than just a job; it is about community service, which she is passionate about. Since the age of 8, Law has been involved in community service activities with her family. Recently, she has been going door-to-door visiting neighborhoods to showcase her enthusiasm, aiming to provide more public services.
Law has been touched by the encouragement received from enthusiastic voters during her door-to-door visits, and even when faced with rejection, she leaves her information in front of doorbell cameras for neighbors to get to know her. Law emphasizes that she is not a typical politician in the traditional sense; rather, she genuinely wants to engage in “community service,” viewing the election campaign as a fresh experience.
With a focus on public safety, Law plans to prioritize the issue, recognizing safety as the foundation for community prosperity. Many residents have raised concerns about public safety to Law, and she intends to strengthen police-community relations, establish a Citizens’ Safety Committee, launch a business watch program, promote neighborhood watch initiatives, and enhance community and road safety to ensure that safety measures are both effective and fair.
She aims to unite the community to improve the quality of life in Walnut City. Compared to some classmates who continue their education, Law has chosen to run for office to begin realizing her ideals at the local level. However, she also plans to continue learning, potentially pursuing legal work or becoming a part-time professor in the future.
For Law, the most important duty of elected officials is to listen to and meet the needs of the community, serving as an extension of the people’s voices rather than pursuing personal interests. She emphasizes that local administration should be proactive, honest, and transparent.
In addition to her efforts to protect existing urban green spaces and promote sustainable development, Law plans to support city staff in enforcing green space regulations and drafting ordinances to protect green spaces. She envisions organizing a Bubble Tea Festival in Walnut City, which already boasts more than 6 pearl milk tea shops, to “integrate more creativity and opportunities.”
She also hopes to provide more job opportunities for young people because “investing in young people is investing in the future.” Law plans to expand educational and extracurricular activity opportunities, closely collaborating with educators, businesses, and community leaders to implement robust internship programs, host internship fairs, and provide opportunities and support for young people.