Clinton campaign forms AAPI leadership council

AAPI for Hillary photo

Some of the Hillary Clinton supporters who joined the candidate's rally in San Gabriel, Calif on Jan. 7

HILLARY FOR AMERICA announced today (Jan. 13) the launch of its Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders for Hillary Leadership Council – a group of over 150 elected officials, community and grassroots leaders who will help build a grassroots-driven volunteer team that will help Hillary Clinton engage, energize and organize support in the AAPI community ahead of the caucuses and primaries. 

"Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are the fastest growing racial demographic in the country, yet have too often been denied a seat at the table,” said Congresswoman and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Judy Chu. “With the launch of her National AAPI Leadership Council, Hillary Clinton is recognizing the importance of engaging with our community in a way that no other candidate has. Given her policy priorities and outreach, I am confident that AAPIs will have an unprecedented voice and ear in the Hillary Clinton White House."

RELATED: Clinton reaches out to the AAPI community

The council is a diverse lot, from U.S. Sen. Mazie K. Hirono to author Bill Wong to former Maj. General Tony Taguba They come across the country, from Hawaii to California and  Illinois to Connecticut.

These officials are taking on leadership roles on the heels of the launch of AAPI for Hillary in San Gabriel, Calif., last week where the Democratic candidate was greeted by leaders from the community and discussed what’s at stake for the AAPI community in this election. 

According to a press release, "Leadership Council members share Clinton’s commitment to raising wages for the middle class, strengthening our nation’s infrastructure to create good-paying jobs, defending and enhancing the Affordable Care Act, ensuring that cost is not a barrier for students going to college, reforming our broken immigration system and much more."

You can learn more about Clinton’s agenda here.

Michell Kwan/Twitter

Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan (center, front) joined the hundreds of AAPI Clinton
supporters in San Gabriel, Calif. last Jan. 7.

Although comparatively small - only 5 percent of voters - the AAPI electorate are part of the fastest growing ethnic groups in the country and its voting rolls have exploded in recent years to the point where they could be the margin of victory in key battleground states and congressional districts.

"I am thrilled to join Hillary Clinton's National AAPI Leadership Council," said Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY). "Hillary has a great track record of fighting for Asian American and Pacific Islanders, and as President, she will do even more to protect and promote the AAPI community. I look forward to working with her to accomplish this."

RELATED: AAPI voters lean towards Democrats

“Hillary Clinton is a smart, conscientious, and an inspiring leader,” said former Ambassador Gary Locke. “She values diversity and has always been supportive of and sensitive to the needs of the AAPI community. She is everything we want in a President and she is the leader we need in these complex and troubling times."

“Hillary Clinton is the candidate we need. She has a proven track record of the compassion and strength needed to unite leaders across the country to solve the problems that affect all our communities,” said Shekar Narasimhan. “I am more than grateful to serve on the National AAPI Leadership Council of the most qualified candidate for the presidency.”

Click here for a complete list of the AAPI for Hillary Leadership Council. Over the course of the campaign, the AAPI Leadership Council will continue to expand, states the press release. 

RELATED: GOP makes a push for Asian American voters

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