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| Steven Raga made history with his election to the New York state legislature. |
EDITOR'S NOTE: UPDATED Nov. 28 2022 to include new lawmakers from Georgia. As more election results roll in, we will update this article.
While most of the media attention focused on the race for the House of Representatives and Senate, AANHPI candidates were also making inroads at the state level where many were breaking barriers and making history.
Contrary to the recent spate of stories in US media about Asian Americans moving to the right, the newly elected office holders are all Democrats, perhaps a harbinger of what the future might be.
Future articles by Views From the Edge will discuss the results of the Nov. 8 election in California and Hawaii for AANHPI politicians.
Michelle Au, Georgia
Georgia made history Nov. 8 by electing 20 AANHPI lawmakers, a record number of for the state legislature. The election was remarkable as six AANHPI candidates winning their election for the first time.
The 32-year-old beat out her Republican opponent Josh McKay for the seat -- winning with 53% of the vote in State Senate District 7.
As a child of Bangladeshi immigrants and a product of Gwinnett County Public Schools, Islam said she believes voters are ready for representation in the Gold Dome.
"When you're a woman, a women of color, daughter of immigrants, a Muslim woman, the pathway to running for office is much harder," she said. "And even though I didn't win my first time, you know, that's part of the journey, I didn't give up. Because my community means so much to me and I know that we have to have representation in the halls of power because when you're not on the table, you're on the menu."
Islam said her top priority as she heads to the Gold Dome will be expanding Medicaid for Georgians in need.
Long Tran (Dem)
Samuel Park (Dem)
"I have devoted my life to the community and public service," said Cervania on her campaign page. "In 2020, I was humbled and honored that the voters of Wake County placed their trust and confidence in me as their Wake County Commissioner. Because of this, I am the first AAPI (Asian American/Pacific Islander) elected to the Wake County Board of Commissioners and the first Filipino elected to office in North Carolina.
“I’m a little more quiet about being the first of things,” Cervania said. “This has always been about more than me. It’s also been about what we want to see North Carolina be in 10 years, in 20 years, in 50 years. Electing me, electing Ya Liu, this is North Carolina’s commitment to knowing that they see us, that they see our community and that they put their faith and trust in us” to work for everyone. “I don’t take that lightly, and I’m honored for that trust.”
Nabeela Syed, Illinois
Nabeela Syed's, a Democrat, was a notable and historic win. She was able to flip the 51st House Distrtict by defeating incumbent Chris Bos.
At 23-years of age, the Indian American who was born and raised in palatine, Illinois, will be the youngest member of the state assembly, and also the first South Asian in the Illinois legislature.
"I'm feeling very, very grateful," she said Wednesday. "I think we laid it all out there. We communicated our message. We wanted to let constituents in this district know what exactly I would fight for in the state legislature, in our suburban district and the place that I've called home, and a place that I was born and raised in, and I have a lot of care for this community."
She is one of two Gen Z candidates to win state office in Illinois. Republican Brad Fritts, 22, is the youngest member of Illinois' General Assembly.
The 23-year-old Syed became the first Indian American woman and first Muslim woman to be elected to serve in the Illinois General Assembly. Abdelnasser Rashid, who was also elected Tuesday, is Palestinian American.
"It is so important for us to have a seat at the table, for us to have a voice in the legislative process," said Syed, who was raised in District 51 in Palatine, Illinois. She was able to use her network of local contacts that she made working with nonprofits and political organizations to gain support for her first run for an elected post.
"People say wait your turn or there is no space for you. We made space," Rashid said.
Newcomer Victoria Gu, a Charlestown resident, survived a tough political gauntlet to become Rhode Island's first Asian American state Senator.
She received nearly 48% of all votes en route to a decisive victory over Republican Westin Place and unaffiliated candidate Caswell Cooke Jr. on Tuesday. Gu received 5,808 votes, while Place received 3,494 and Cooke 3,285.
"At this point, I am just really grateful to all the residents that are putting their confidence in me to serve the district," Gu told the Boston Globe. "I will strive to provide the best representation I can for all voters, and I am ready to get to work on the many issues that I've discussed over the course of my campaign."
Although new to politics, Gu had to beat two other candidates in the Democratic Primary.
Gu has served recently as chairwoman of the Charlestown Resiliency Commission. She said she plans to use that experience to aid in addressing the escalating cost of homeownership and protect public shoreline access.
Japanese American Linda Ujifusa (D) became the first Asians elected to the state legislature.
Ujifusa cruised to victory in the District 11 senate race, staving off Republican challenger Kenneth Mendonca and Independent candidate Mario Texeira.
She told The Daily News, " I just want to thank everybody who voted for me, but of course I am ready to represent all the constituents in my district. I hope people will reach out to me with their concerns and their questions, and I will respond, and I look forward to representing the constituents of my district."
The third-generation Japanese American's parents immigrated from China but her grandparents were born in Japan.
Like thousands of other Japanese Americans, Ujifusa’s mother was placed in a US internment camp during World War II .
"If you had told my mother and her family in the internment camp that their daughter would be going to Harvard and running for office in Rhode Island and winning, I don’t think they would have believed it,” Ujifusa said.
“But now that I think about it, they had tremendous faith in this country,” said Ujifusa, whose father joined the US Army and fought in the China-Burma-India theater during WWII.
She told the Boston Globe she hopes her victory will inspire not just other Asian Americans in Rhode Island but anyone with a hard-to-pronounce name. “I hope it encourages people to think that anything is possible,” she said.
Indian American Aruna Miller's win as Maryland's Lt. Governor and the apparent victory of Rob Bonta as California's first Filipino American Attorney General led the way AANHPI communities continue to emerge as a political force in the United States.
But in the trenches more AANHPI are speaking out and willing to seek office. Most noteworthy are the election victorires in the South
AANHPI continue to be underrepresented in elected offices. Even as the fastest growing demographic in the US, only 2.8% hold office at the federal level even though AANHPI make up about 7% of the US population. At the state level, it is even worse for AANHPI office holders at 2.1%, according to a report from the Reflective Democracy Campaign.
Future articles by Views From the Edge will discuss the results of the Nov. 8 election in California and Hawaii for AANHPI politicians.
What is significant about Tuesday's elections is that the victories by AANHPI politicians occurred in states where there are not a huge presence of Asian Americans compared to California and Hawaii.
Steven Raga, New York
New York State Assembly District 30 candidate Steven Raga has made history as the first Filipino American elected to New York's legislature.
On election night, Raga won his race to serve in the state assembly. There are 150 seats in the New York State Assembly that serve two-year terms without term limits.
"This neighborhood means a lot to me,” Raga added as he talked about his family who has called it home for the past few decades. “I look forward to advocating for everyone here, defending our rights and working in partnership with our other forward-thinking legislators to bring more value to all New Yorkers, specially our most vulnerable, and our new immigrants.”
Raga won against his Republican opponemt Sean Lally in Tuesday night’s (November 8) general election, garnering 57.84% of the votes (10,972 votes), against Lally’s 41.12% of the votes.
Assembly District 30 has undergone significant change due to redistricting. The district in Quens serves the neighborhoods of Woodside, Maspeth, and Elmhurst, along with parts of Jackson Heights. It includes the business district known as Little Manila. The district is one of the most diverse in the state and is majority AAPI (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders).
In an Election Day post on social media, he wrote:
"We are on the edge of history, and as a kid from Queens who grew up with a single mother, working three jobs while pursuing my education, the overwhelming support from all corners of the district means a lot to me."
In an Election Day post on social media, he wrote:
"We are on the edge of history, and as a kid from Queens who grew up with a single mother, working three jobs while pursuing my education, the overwhelming support from all corners of the district means a lot to me."
Michelle Au, Georgia
Georgia made history Nov. 8 by electing 20 AANHPI lawmakers, a record number of for the state legislature. The election was remarkable as six AANHPI candidates winning their election for the first time.
First-time candidate Sen. Michelle Au was successful in winning a seat in Georgia's House Nov. 8.
State Sen. Au, is planning a bid to make the jump from the Georgia Senate to the Georgia House of Representatives after her current seat was redrawn to lean more Republican.
Au, who was the first Asian American woman elected to the state Senate, announced on Friday that she will run for the State House District 50 seat, which is made up primarily of the city of Johns Creek, next year. Au’s current seat in the Senate is split between Gwinnett and Fulton counties so a move to the House would take her out of the Gwinnett legislative delegation since the new House District 50 does not cross county lines.
“Senate District 48 was the sole state senate district targeted by the Republican majority in the redistricting process,” said Au, who is an anesthesiologist.
State Sen. Au, is planning a bid to make the jump from the Georgia Senate to the Georgia House of Representatives after her current seat was redrawn to lean more Republican.
Au, who was the first Asian American woman elected to the state Senate, announced on Friday that she will run for the State House District 50 seat, which is made up primarily of the city of Johns Creek, next year. Au’s current seat in the Senate is split between Gwinnett and Fulton counties so a move to the House would take her out of the Gwinnett legislative delegation since the new House District 50 does not cross county lines.
“Senate District 48 was the sole state senate district targeted by the Republican majority in the redistricting process,” said Au, who is an anesthesiologist.
Nabilah Islam, Georgia
Joining Au in the Georgia Senate will be Nabilah Islam, who made history in the Peach State on Election Day as the first-ever Muslim and the youngest woman to be elected to the Senate.
Joining Au in the Georgia Senate will be Nabilah Islam, who made history in the Peach State on Election Day as the first-ever Muslim and the youngest woman to be elected to the Senate.
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| Nabilah Islam wins a state Senate seat in Georgia. |
The 32-year-old beat out her Republican opponent Josh McKay for the seat -- winning with 53% of the vote in State Senate District 7.
As a child of Bangladeshi immigrants and a product of Gwinnett County Public Schools, Islam said she believes voters are ready for representation in the Gold Dome.
"When you're a woman, a women of color, daughter of immigrants, a Muslim woman, the pathway to running for office is much harder," she said. "And even though I didn't win my first time, you know, that's part of the journey, I didn't give up. Because my community means so much to me and I know that we have to have representation in the halls of power because when you're not on the table, you're on the menu."
Islam said her top priority as she heads to the Gold Dome will be expanding Medicaid for Georgians in need.
Besides Islam and Au, nine other AANHPI Georgia state legislators won their races, creating a record number of AANHPI lawmakers in the state Capitol. They include:
Georgia Senate:
State Senate (District 5)
Sheikh Rahman (Incumbent-Dem)
Georgia House of Representatives:
State House of Representatives (District 80)Long Tran (Dem)
State House of Representatives (District 97)
Rowan Roman (Dem)
State House of Representatives (District 98)
Marvin Lim (Incumbent-Dem)
State House of Representatives (District 105)
Farooq Mughal (Dem)
State House of Representatives (District 107)
Sam Park (Dem)
State House of Representatives (District 20)
Charlie Byrd (Rep)
State House of Representatives (District 103)
Soo Hong (Rep)
Samuel Park (Dem)
Maria Cervania, North Carolina
Maria Cervania won the state's House District 41 with about 64% of the vote. The district includes parts of Cary and Apex.
Maria Cervania won the state's House District 41 with about 64% of the vote. The district includes parts of Cary and Apex.
"I have devoted my life to the community and public service," said Cervania on her campaign page. "In 2020, I was humbled and honored that the voters of Wake County placed their trust and confidence in me as their Wake County Commissioner. Because of this, I am the first AAPI (Asian American/Pacific Islander) elected to the Wake County Board of Commissioners and the first Filipino elected to office in North Carolina.
“I’m a little more quiet about being the first of things,” Cervania said. “This has always been about more than me. It’s also been about what we want to see North Carolina be in 10 years, in 20 years, in 50 years. Electing me, electing Ya Liu, this is North Carolina’s commitment to knowing that they see us, that they see our community and that they put their faith and trust in us” to work for everyone. “I don’t take that lightly, and I’m honored for that trust.”
As a Democrat, she'll be joining a legislature where Republicans are in control.
“Hopefully through conversations we help people understand that health care is a people issue,” said Cervania, who grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. “Having shelter, having food security, these are people issues. They aren’t partisan issues.”
“Hopefully through conversations we help people understand that health care is a people issue,” said Cervania, who grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. “Having shelter, having food security, these are people issues. They aren’t partisan issues.”
Reena Szczepanski, New Mexico
Reena Szczepanski, was elected to New Mexico's House of Representatives for District 47.
Hoan Huynh, Illinois
Hoan Huynh, Illinois House of Representatives for District 13;
Ya Liu, North Carolina
Ya Liu, a Democrat, won adjoining House District 21 with more than 67% of the vote. The district includes Morrisville and parts of Cary. Liu is in her first term as a member of the Cary Town Council.
Liu emigrated to the United States from China. She has a doctorate from NC State University, a law degree from NC Central University and runs her own law firm.
“I feel representation is important. When girls see someone like them can be involved in politics, that would motivate them to be involved.”
Ya Liu, a Democrat, won adjoining House District 21 with more than 67% of the vote. The district includes Morrisville and parts of Cary. Liu is in her first term as a member of the Cary Town Council.
Liu emigrated to the United States from China. She has a doctorate from NC State University, a law degree from NC Central University and runs her own law firm.
“I feel representation is important. When girls see someone like them can be involved in politics, that would motivate them to be involved.”
Nabeela Syed, Illinois
Nabeela Syed's, a Democrat, was a notable and historic win. She was able to flip the 51st House Distrtict by defeating incumbent Chris Bos.
At 23-years of age, the Indian American who was born and raised in palatine, Illinois, will be the youngest member of the state assembly, and also the first South Asian in the Illinois legislature.
"I'm feeling very, very grateful," she said Wednesday. "I think we laid it all out there. We communicated our message. We wanted to let constituents in this district know what exactly I would fight for in the state legislature, in our suburban district and the place that I've called home, and a place that I was born and raised in, and I have a lot of care for this community."
She is one of two Gen Z candidates to win state office in Illinois. Republican Brad Fritts, 22, is the youngest member of Illinois' General Assembly.
The 23-year-old Syed became the first Indian American woman and first Muslim woman to be elected to serve in the Illinois General Assembly. Abdelnasser Rashid, who was also elected Tuesday, is Palestinian American.
"It is so important for us to have a seat at the table, for us to have a voice in the legislative process," said Syed, who was raised in District 51 in Palatine, Illinois. She was able to use her network of local contacts that she made working with nonprofits and political organizations to gain support for her first run for an elected post.
"People say wait your turn or there is no space for you. We made space," Rashid said.
Victoria Gu, Rhode Island
Newcomer Victoria Gu, a Charlestown resident, survived a tough political gauntlet to become Rhode Island's first Asian American state Senator.
She received nearly 48% of all votes en route to a decisive victory over Republican Westin Place and unaffiliated candidate Caswell Cooke Jr. on Tuesday. Gu received 5,808 votes, while Place received 3,494 and Cooke 3,285.
"At this point, I am just really grateful to all the residents that are putting their confidence in me to serve the district," Gu told the Boston Globe. "I will strive to provide the best representation I can for all voters, and I am ready to get to work on the many issues that I've discussed over the course of my campaign."
Although new to politics, Gu had to beat two other candidates in the Democratic Primary.
Gu has served recently as chairwoman of the Charlestown Resiliency Commission. She said she plans to use that experience to aid in addressing the escalating cost of homeownership and protect public shoreline access.
Linda Ujifusa, Rhode Island
Japanese American Linda Ujifusa (D) became the first Asians elected to the state legislature.
Ujifusa cruised to victory in the District 11 senate race, staving off Republican challenger Kenneth Mendonca and Independent candidate Mario Texeira.
She told The Daily News, " I just want to thank everybody who voted for me, but of course I am ready to represent all the constituents in my district. I hope people will reach out to me with their concerns and their questions, and I will respond, and I look forward to representing the constituents of my district."
The third-generation Japanese American's parents immigrated from China but her grandparents were born in Japan.
Like thousands of other Japanese Americans, Ujifusa’s mother was placed in a US internment camp during World War II .
"If you had told my mother and her family in the internment camp that their daughter would be going to Harvard and running for office in Rhode Island and winning, I don’t think they would have believed it,” Ujifusa said.
“But now that I think about it, they had tremendous faith in this country,” said Ujifusa, whose father joined the US Army and fought in the China-Burma-India theater during WWII.
She told the Boston Globe she hopes her victory will inspire not just other Asian Americans in Rhode Island but anyone with a hard-to-pronounce name. “I hope it encourages people to think that anything is possible,” she said.
Salman Bhojani, Texas
Bhojani, whose family is originally from Pakistan, moved to the United States as a teenager. He started out working minimum wage jobs including as a cashier at a convenience store. He wound up owning several convenience stores. he earned his law degree and became an attorney. Eventually he got elected to the Euless City Council,
EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter.
Texas’ Salman Bhojani (D), a Pakistani American corporate lawyer, became the first Muslim and first South Asian ever elected to the state legislature.
Bhojani, whose family is originally from Pakistan, moved to the United States as a teenager. He started out working minimum wage jobs including as a cashier at a convenience store. He wound up owning several convenience stores. he earned his law degree and became an attorney. Eventually he got elected to the Euless City Council,
In an interview with the Texas Standard, he said as a Muslim American he's had his share of hate directed at him and that is part of what drives him as an office holder.
"The representation matters a lot, and I feel that I’ve had historic campaigns in the past, and I want to draw attention to the fact that we have so much diversity within our great state and our cities, and so we need that representation in the statehouse and elected officials as well."
Salman Bhojani, Texas
Another Pakistani American, Salman Bhojani, also won a seat in the Texas legislature representing House Disrict 76. Bhojani and Shojani are the state's first Muslim Americans elected tot he state's House of Representatives.
Lalani came to the country in the 1990s to begin his career as a doctor. He's established his practice in the Houston area.
He said he came to the US because of the health facilities are the best in the world but couldn't help noticing the inequality in health care. He hopes he can use his position as a lawmaker to narrow that gap.
Jasmeet Bains, California
Dr. Jasmeet Bains became the first Sikh American and woman of Indian American descent to be elected to the California Legislature, after all the votes were counted in the 35th District in Central California.
"Growing up as a girl in Delano, I couldn’t have imagined that one day I’d have the title of “Doctor,” let alone, “Assemblywoman-elect,” Bains said in a statement. "But at my core I’m still just a daughter of the Valley who was lucky enough to go away to medical school and return to serve the community I call home - a community rich in culture, diversity and proud valley values.
"I’m also proud to be the first woman of Indian American descent and first Sikh to be elected to the California Legislature. I’m honored and mindful of what this historic achievement means to both my ancestors and the younger generation - who will hopefully be inspired to break barriers and pursue dreams of their own."
"I’m also proud to be the first woman of Indian American descent and first Sikh to be elected to the California Legislature. I’m honored and mindful of what this historic achievement means to both my ancestors and the younger generation - who will hopefully be inspired to break barriers and pursue dreams of their own."
Aisha Wahab, California
Aisha Wahab is the first Afghan American and first Muslim woman elected to the state's Senate. With 52% of the vote, she beat Lily Mei to represent District 10 that includes one of the largest Afghan American communities in the US.
"(There were) a lot of dog whistles in the race. A lot of racism, sexism, ageism, you name it, I saw it in this race," explains Wahab, who was born in New York City.
"I hope to bring my lived experiences to the policies we make, to be more inclusive, to think about the most vulnerable community members. That has always been part of my policies, even in the City of Hayward," says Wahab, who is currently a Hayward city council member, and where she first got into politics
EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter.
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