2018 AAPI VOTE: California gubernatorial candidates take part in historic AAPI-sponsored debate

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The top six candidates for California governor were invited to the debate but only five showed up.

THE FIRST-EVER Asian-Pacific Islander gubernatorial debate held last April 27 featured five of the top candidates who want to be California's  next governor.

Each candidate took turns attacking Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, the candidate leading in the polls and the only major candidate who didn't bother to attend the historic event in Pasadena, Calif.

The next closest rival, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, painted Newsom's absence as a sign that he doesn't care about the AAPI vote. He also praised the other four candidates who attended.

"We've been on the campaign trail for a very long time. We've had our debates and our differences. But the fact that you show up says something, it says that you care," said Villaraigosa.

To draw attention to his absence, the Center for Asian Americans United for Self-Empowerment, which organized the debate, included a debate podium on the end of the stage at Pasadena City College for him.

“As you’ll note, there’s a podium here marked with his name in case he decides to show up,” said CAUSE Executive Director Kim Yamasaki to laughter.

Joining Villaraigosa in the 90-minute debate were State Treasurer John Chiang, Assemblymember Travis Allen, former California State Superintendent Delaine Eastin and businessman John Cox. 

Chiang, whose parents immigrated from Taiwan, pitched himself as the strongest advocate for the Asian community. "We have a profound opportunity to send a powerful signal to those in Sacramento that the Asian Americans count," he said.

“This great state was built by the Chinese, built by the Filipinos and Japanese that came here and helped make this great state,” said Villaraigosa. “I couldn’t be prouder to be here because my grandfather came here as well, he came here with a shirt on his back and dream.”

The debate hosted by the Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment  (CAUSE), focused on some of the biggest issues that affect California’s fast-growing Asian American community. It was moderated by L.A. Times political writer Seema Mehta and MSNBC host Richard Liu. 

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Debate moderators Seema Mehta and Richard Liu

Among the topics important to the AAPI community that the candidates addressed were immigration, affirmative action, K-12 education, housing affordability and single-payer health care. (Watch the full debate below.)

AAPI communities are the fastest growing ethnic group across the nation. Today, more than one-third (5.7 million) of the United States’ AAPI population resides in California. California is also home to the largest number of AAPI-owned businesses (32% of the total in the nation) and boasts an AAPI consumer market of $172 billion. With the APA population comprising nearly 15% of California’s electorate, it has the potential to decide the outcome of the 2018 elections.

With Newsom almost certain to be the top vote-getter, the race has boiled down to second place in the June 5 Primary. The top two candidates will run-off in November.

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