The New Jersey state legislature could add to the number of AAPI legislators Tuesday if the influential Asian American electorate exercise their right to vote.
Inspired by a surge of anti-Asian hate crimes that followed slurs about the "China virus," more Asian American candidates are shedding a cultural reluctance to make waves and stepping up to have their voices heard.
Rep. Andy Kim, the first Asian American elected to Congress in New Jersey in 20218, launched a political action committee to make sure he won't be the last. His In Our Hands PAC endorsed six Asian Americans running for office today, Tuesday, November 2
“This group of outstanding and diverse candidates are perfect examples of New Jersey’s growing AAPI population and diversity across the state,” Kim said. “When I started In Our Hands I wanted to focus on finding, recruiting, training, and building a strong, diverse pipeline of talent. These candidates show me that the future of AAPI leadership in New Jersey is bright, and I am confident each of them will make outstanding public servants.”
His PAC, launched to help Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders running for public officeis endorsing Edison mayoral candidate Sam Joshi and five Democratic candidates for the New Jersey State Assembly.
Kim’s PAC is backing former Montgomery Mayor Sadaf Jaffer for an open State Assembly 16th District, Tenafly Democratic Municipal Chair Shama Haider and former Englewood Cliffs Councilwoman Ellen Park for open Assembly seats in the 37th District.
Also earning endorsements from In Our Hands were two Democrats in more competitive districts: New Jersey NOW president Anjali Mehrotra for District 21, and Karlito Almeda, staff member of Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, in District 39.
“What I’m trying to do is really change what is possible," said Kim, who was elected in 2018 as the first Korean American Democrat in Congress. "I want Asian Americans to understand that we can be leaders in our communities.”
New Jersey already has three AAPI state lawmakers -- State Sen. Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth), Assemblyman Raj Mukherji (D-Hudson) and Assemblyman Sterley Stanley (D-Middlesex).
About 1.05 million New Jersey residents identified as Asian, either whole or in part, according to the 2021 Census, representing about 11% of the total population.
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