 |
| Washington Senator-elect Manka Dhingra |
ASAM NEWS
LOST AMIDST the big Democratic victories in Virginia and New Jersey Tuesday (Nov. 7) was another significant win.
Manka Dhingra, a former senior deputy prosecuting attorney with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, won a special election for the Washington state senate seat in the 45th district, reports the Huff Post.
Dhingra defeated Korean/American Jinyoung Lee Englund, 55% – 45%. Her victory gives the Democrats full control of the state government there and created a blue wall made up of Washington, Oregon and California where Democrats control the state legislatures and the governorships.
Dhingra’s victory was the icing on the cake for Democrats who finally had something to celebrate in its push back against what they see as the divisive policies of Donald Trump.
RELATED:
- Two Asian American women win seats in Virginia legislature
- South Asian landslide in New Jersey elections
“Since last summer, we’ve been committed to spending on a mail program that targets AAPI communities. AAPIs showed up – in Virginia, New Jersey, Washington and elsewhere and voted for leaders who will create new jobs, grow the economy, improve our schools, and ensure health care is a right for all Americans. They elected leaders like Virginia Delegate-Elect Kathy Tran, New Jersey State Senator-Elect Vin Gopal, and Washington State Senator-Elect Manka Dhingra, whose victory flipped control of the Washington state Senate to Democratic control, giving Democrats control of both legislative chambers and the governorship.
"Far and wide, the American people rejected a Trump-Pence agenda that would have only fueled division and bigotry." continued the statement.
“Yesterday’s success is just the beginning. In 2018, and beyond the AAPI community is going to be crucial to victories in swing states and key races. The new DNC believes that every zip code counts, and we will organize 365 days a year around candidates who are reflective of our diverse nation and share our values of inclusion, justice, and opportunity. That’s how we will keep winning elections from the school board to the Oval Office.”
The Republican counterpart to the Democratic AAPI Caucus has been silent about the election, but the GOP continues to push its tax relief plan it says will pass savings to all Americans.
According to the Seattle Times, Dhingra’s victory while significant, only gives the Democrat a narrow majority. Among the issues they are expected to push is a full voting rights bill designed to protect the votes of minorities and a health care plan that will fund birth control at no cost to patients.
Like other women who ran for office for the first time, Dhingra was motivated to throw her hat in the political arena after Donald Trump's unexpected victory last year. "I was fairly devastated by the result," said the Sikh/American. "I actually called in sick the next day. I couldn't get off the couch.
“We ran a campaign based on values,” Dhingra said. “Not on hate, not on fear mongering, not on putting the other side down.”
(Views From the Edge contributed to this report.)
_________________________________________________________________________________
“Yesterday’s success is just the beginning. In 2018, and beyond the AAPI community is going to be crucial to victories in swing states and key races. The new DNC believes that every zip code counts, and we will organize 365 days a year around candidates who are reflective of our diverse nation and share our values of inclusion, justice, and opportunity. That’s how we will keep winning elections from the school board to the Oval Office.”
The Republican counterpart to the Democratic AAPI Caucus has been silent about the election, but the GOP continues to push its tax relief plan it says will pass savings to all Americans.
According to the Seattle Times, Dhingra’s victory while significant, only gives the Democrat a narrow majority. Among the issues they are expected to push is a full voting rights bill designed to protect the votes of minorities and a health care plan that will fund birth control at no cost to patients.
Like other women who ran for office for the first time, Dhingra was motivated to throw her hat in the political arena after Donald Trump's unexpected victory last year. "I was fairly devastated by the result," said the Sikh/American. "I actually called in sick the next day. I couldn't get off the couch.
“We ran a campaign based on values,” Dhingra said. “Not on hate, not on fear mongering, not on putting the other side down.”
(Views From the Edge contributed to this report.)
_________________________________________________________________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment