DNC NOTEBOOK: AAPI delegates take to the stage; tend to business beyond the convention floor

Jason Tengco, the Clinton campaigns director of AAPI outreach, took this shot of the Democratic
members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Rep. Judy Chu, the first 
Chinese/American woman to be elected to Congress. To see and hear the entire presentation, 
including a moving video tribute, click here.
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CELEBRATING DIVERSITY: OUR AMERICA

THIS VIDEO, approved by the Democratic Party, is being shown during the convention to show a major difference between the Republican and Democratic political parties. While the Republicans want to keep people out, the Democrats want to include everyone "gay or straight, black or white ..." Oops. There's that darn obsolete black&white paradigm again.

The DNC showed the new video, “Our America,” which aired for the first time at the Democratic National Convention tonight. “Our America,” created by Henry R. Muñoz III, Robert Rodriguez and Emilio Estefan, features the true portrait of our country: a diverse nation where opportunities are endless and where every individual can thrive with no barriers.

RELATED: Notebook - AAPI passionately involved at the DNC

While the message is clear and one that we wholeheartedly agree with, I do have a small quibble with it: There is only two (perhaps 3) identifiable Asian images in the video. The third image being a sign showing Chinese calligraphy.

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NOW that Hillary Clinton is officially the Democratic candidate for President of the U.S., you might be interested where she stands on issues that affect the AAPI community. Her campaign has put together a fact sheet on how she plans to break down barriers for the AAPI community.

RELATED: Asian/Americans help shape Democratic Party platform

The website says the AAPI community is standing with Hillary because they know she’s had a career-long record of defending their best interests: from advocating for the Children’s Health Insurance Program while she was First Lady to fighting for comprehensive immigration reform as a U.S. Senator to making the Asia-Pacific region a top foreign policy priority as Secretary of State. As President, Hillary has plans to break down barriers and improve the lives of AAPIs by:

1. Raising incomes and creating good-paying jobs
2. Providing quality and affordable education
3. Improving health and expanding access to health care
4. Protecting Social Security and Medicare
5. Keeping us safe here at home
6. Fighting for comprehensive immigration reform
7. Breaking down barriers and bringing AAPIs together

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BEYOND THE CONVENTION FLOOR

MAINSTREAM MEDIA is good at capturing the Big Moments of the political conventions but they usually don't show all the things that keep our AAPI delegates busy before the TV cameras start rolling for prime time.

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REP. MIKE HONDA HONORED BY LGBT CAUCUS
WHILE IN PHILADELPHIA for the Democratic National Convention, Rep. Mike Honda (Silicon Valley) took time Tuesday (July 26) to accept an award from the Democratic National Comittee's LGBT Caucus.

Barbra Casbar Siperstein, a member of the Democratic National Committee’s Executive Committee, presented Honda with the Jane Fee Award, which is named after the first trans delegate to a Democratic National Convention.

The Silicon Valley representative spoke about his trans granddaughter Melissa after he accepted the award.

“When I see things like Pulse, the mowing down of people who are enjoying themselves in a nightclub, I think of Melissa,” he said, referring to his granddaughter. “I don’t want that to happen to her and I don’t want that to be in her future. I want that sense of security, safety for her as she moves through her life.”

FILIPINO/AMERICAN CONGRESSMAN

Virginia's Rep. Bobby Cortez Scott, who can claim to be the nation's first Filipino/American congressman, introduced Vice President nominee Sen. Tim Kaine, who represents Virginia in the U.S. Senate. Scott's Filipino roots go back to his grandfather on his mother's side. He also appeared with the other AAPI lawmakers when the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus took the stage earlier in the day.

TIM KAINE'S FILIPINO/AMERICA AIDE DIES

Last week, Joe Montano, a key aide to Vice President nominee Tim Kaine, died. He was looking forward to attending his first Democratic National Convention. He served as Kaine's Northern Virginia Regional Director.

“My staff and I are deeply saddened by the death of our Northern Virginia Regional Director, Joe Montano.," said Kaine. "Joe was an outstanding representative of this office, enthusiastic servant of the people of Northern Virginia, and admired colleague by all who worked with him. We will remember him by his positive energy, tireless work ethic, and infectious smile. Our thoughts and prayers are with Joe’s family.”

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ASIAN/AMERICAN MOTHER SPEAKS

Christine Leinonen was comforted by two friends of her late son.

CHRISTINE LEINONEN, the mother of Orlando shooting victim Christopher “Drew” Leinonen, delivered a powerful and heartbreaking message for gun control at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday.

She told the audience that her paternal grandparents were born in one of the internment camps where American citizens of Japanese descent were detained during WWII.

“It takes about 5 minutes for a church bell to ring 49 times,” Leinonen said. “I know this because last month my son Christopher, his boyfriend Juan and 47 others were murdered at a club in Orlando.

Leinonen said she was a state trooper the day she gave birth to Christopher, and the hospital put her gun in a safe.

“I’m glad there was common sense gun legislation the day Christopher was born. But where was that common sense policy the day he died?” Leinonen said.

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CNN reporter Richard Liu moderated a panel to AAPI delegates on shaping the AAPI message to the media and general public.

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AAPI SPEAKERS FOR THURSDAY, JULY 28; 

REP. TAMMY DUCKWORTH, who is campaigning for a U.S. Senate seat for Illinois, will have a major speaking slot (approximately in the 5:30-6 p.m.) If she wins the Senate, the Democrats might have a chance of taking control of the U.S. Senate and that's why the party is giving her a prominent spot.

Duckworth, who lost her legs and part of one arm when a grenade launcher hit her helicopter in Iraq, is the first Asian/American woman elected to Congress in Illinois, the first disabled woman elected to the U.S. House, and the first member of Congress born in Thailand.

KHIZR KHAN, an immigrant from Pakistan, will speak before the assembly. He'll talk about his son, war hero Captain Humayun S.M. Khan, who lost his life in Iraq.

Captain Khan, a University of Virginia graduate, was one of 14 American Muslims who gave their lives serving the United States during the ten years that followed the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. “This is our country too,” Khan, 65, said in an interview. “This is not only Donald Trump’s country.

THE OTHER AAPI lawmaker to take the convention stage will be Rep. Ted Lieu, who will be speaking in prime time, 8 p.m.-10 p.m., about supporting the United States' military.

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DNC: A moment of pride: AAPI lawmakers represent

OH, MAN! Lump-in-the-throat time. Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus shared the stage at the Democratic National Convention today (July 27). But before they were introduced, a video that was both a tribute to their predecessors including Senators Patsy Mink and Daniel Inouye and Rep. Norman Mineta and a record of their achievements through the years.

For a lot of Americans, this may be the first exposure they've had on Asian/American and Pacific Islander history. 

Rep. Judy Chu, California, had the best line, "We've came from being marginalize to becoming the margin of victory" in key swing states like Virginia, Nevada and Pennsylvania. Chu is the first Chinese/American woman elected to Congress. Several of them stood at the podium to say why they are supporting Hillary Clinton. 

Diversity and inclusion seems to be the theme this afternoon at the Philadelphia conclave. It's hard to believe but it was only 37 years ago before any AAPI lawmakers walked Washington's marbled halls. Today there are 13 representatives and one senator.

"Today, we have a voice."

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DNC: Day 2 of a Diary of a Clinton volunteer - A message to Sanders supporters

Actress Constance Wu of 'Fresh Off The Boat' spoke to the AAPI people at the Democratic National Convention.

By Nick Lee
Reprinted from AsAm News

AS A VOLUNTEER, I knew we would hit the ground running the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), but I was not entirely prepared for exactly how fast. We started work at 9 am and after a short meeting we headed straight downstairs to the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Caucus, essentially a rally for the AAPI Democrats in attendance at convention. Armed with an iPhone and the Periscope app, my job was to get as close as possible to the stage and livestream the event without my arm giving up on me. This gave me a front row view to the speakers and their messages to the AAPI community.

The best way to describe the atmosphere at the AAPI Caucus was one of excitement, excitement at the prospect of a new day for AAPI visibility in this election. For many of the local delegates and volunteers from around the country, seeing so many AAPIs in one room that are equally passionate about politics must have been an uncommon occurrence. Congresswoman Judy Chu’s favorite line that “we are going from being marginalized, to becoming the margin of victory,” was received with cheers and applause from the collection of delegates and supporters who gathered around.

RELATED: Diary of a Clinton Volunteer - Day 1

Congressman Mike Honda also delivered powerful remarks that celebrated how far the party and our community had come by speaking directly to AAPI historical experiences. He proclaimed, “If we had a [Democratic] party like we have today, I would have never been sent to [the internment] camp. If we had this Democratic Party back in the 1880s we would not have had the Chinese Exclusion Act. If we had parties like this, with our sentiment, Native Americans would have a better break, Native Hawaiians would have a better break.”

Nick Lee

Constance Wu also spoke out about the growing power of AAPI choice from her perspective as an actress on the hit sitcom Fresh Off The Boat . She attributed the rise of new shows prominently featuring Asian Americans as a product of increasing Asian American power. “This shows that Asian American voting and attention matter,” she explained. “They would have never picked up those other shows if our show hadn’t garnered a large audience that was really hungry for that content.”

Being in that room, surrounded by dozens of other AAPIs who were equally excited about a Democratic victory in 2016 helped lend credence to the theme of the Caucus: “Our Time Is Now”. There is a hunger in the AAPI political community to be legitimized in the eyes of the media, government, and larger political sphere. In the words of Congressman Ami Bera, “We’re a rising electorate. This is a coming of age election for the AAPI community. Let’s make 2016 our year.”

Later on that night, I received credentials to see some of the brightest superstars of the Democratic Party speak. Even though I have called DC home for two years and hardly blink when I see a Congressman, I was left mesmerized by the power that they brought to the arena. Sen. Cory Booker, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and Michelle Obama all laid out powerful progressive visions of an inclusive society formed on tolerance, justice, and fairness; a vision that appealed to my liberal instincts and did not shy or back away from issues.

RELATED: AAPI delegates, guests & elected meet at the DNC

However, what spoke to me most powerfully from the evening was seeing a crying Bernie supporter on the Jumbotron, as her candidate spoke fervently about the need to support Hillary in November. In that moment, I saw myself in her eyes and realized how hard all of the Sanders supporters present must have worked to try and get their candidate the nomination, and also how incredibly disappointing it must be to never reach your highest ambition. I thought back to those late nights spent making phone calls to strangers and striving to get Hillary the nomination, and remembered that they must have done much of the same.

Even though I still strongly believe Hillary would be the best president, I sympathized with the Bernie camp and their struggle to try and enact their vision of progressive change in America. Today reinforced the notion that the goals and ambitions of a Clinton presidency are far more similar than they are different from Bernie’s. Bernie’s campaign slogan “A Future to Believe In” spoke to me, because I felt that last night was an important step in healing the differences of the past and uniting in a common goal. I am looking forward to working with Bernie supporters going into November, where we need their passion and hard work to ensure that there is a future that we can all believe in.(Nick Lee of Chinese Americans for Hillary will be sharing his thoughts all week with AsAmNews readers.)

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GOP Convention: Diary of A Trump Delegate, Day 5, Her speech

Dr. Lisa Shinn's big day arrives at the Republican National Convention.

 By Lisa Shin
Reprinted from AsAm News

FINALLY, the day I had been waiting for, with both dread and anticipation. I had been reciting the words to myself, over and over again, but my big fear was being overcome by stage fright. Thankfully, there were rehearsal times that included practice with the teleprompter.

RELATED: Diary of a GOP Delegate, Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4

I got VIP service to and from the rehearsals, with check points by the Secret Service. I am so glad that I focused on the crowd before me. I delivered my speech differently than I had rehearsed it, due to the energy, passion, and participation of the people.

RELATED: GOP wants to highlight diversity of the party

Wow! It was a once-in-a-lifetime event.

(Shin is a delegate from New Mexico. She has been keeping a daily diary of her experience at the RNC for AsAm News.)

GOP Convention: Diary of a Trump Delegate, Day 4

By Lisa Shin
Reprinted from AsAm News

TODAY'S highlight was the RNC Convention Asian Pacific American National Forum. It was held at the Hard Rock Cafe and was an incredible time of fellowship and networking.

RELATED: Diary of a GOP Delegate, Day 1, Day 2, Day 3

Speakers included Reince Priebus, Elaine Chao, Michelle Steel, Alan Cobb, Sean Reyes, David Wang, Harmeet Dhillon, Helen Van Etten, Governor Eddie Calvo (Guam), and Mayor Ron Folconi. 

RELATED: Meet the first Asian/American speaker at the RNC

It was encouraging to see so many Asian American Republicans serving in or running for public office.

(Shin is a delegate from New Mexico. She is scheduled to speak before the entire convention on today, July 21.)

First Asian/American speaker addresses GOP convention delegates

Sen. Kimberly Yee

ARIZONA State Sen. Kimberly Yee was the first Asian/American to speak at the GOP National Convention.

The 5th generation Chinese/American lawmaker,  the first Asian/American elected to the Arizona state legislature, was able to tell the story of her family: how her great=great grandfather immigrated to the U.S. in the early part of the 20th anniversary, founded a laundry business and established a family that led to Yee's election to the state legislature.

"My parents taught me that I could achieve anything I wanted in this great country," she told the convention delegates, repeating a theme many of the first day's speakers used, including Donald Trump's wife, Melania, when she gave her speech last night. 

RELATED: Diary of a GOP delegate

She said she will teach those values to her children, again, a message repeated by Melania Trump.

“It is time for us to get back to our conservative, Republican values that made our nation great,” said Yee, of Phoenix. “We cannot endure the next four years like we’ve had for the past eight. And it is because of these principles that I support Donald J. Trump for president.”

RELATED: GOP wants to highlight diversity, but ...

Another Asian/Amreican, Dr.  Lisa Shin, who founded Korean Americans for Trump and is a New Mexico delegate to the convention, is slated to speak Thursday.

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AAPI Congress members endorse Clinton

Hillary For America

AAPI lawmakers threw their support towards Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton May 31.

A WEEK before the California Primary, the campaign for Sec. of State Hillary Clinton received the endorsement of a key group of legislators.

Today, (May 31) the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Leadership PAC, which includes several representatives and senators from California, urged Asian/American and Pacific Islander voters to back Clinton in her bid to become President.

The AAPI population in the Golden State is growing by leaps and bounds and the AAPI electorate, estimated to make up 12 percent of the state's voters, could be critical in deciding to which Democratic presidential candidate the state's hefty Democratic delegates will rally.

“There is so much at stake in this election, and we cannot tolerate any presidential candidate who promotes fear tactics, hateful rhetoric against immigrants and bullying,” CAPAC chair Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) said on Tuesday, alluding to Donald Trump, the GOP's presumptive candidate.

“We AAPIs must turn out the vote and ensure that our voice matters,” Chu said. “We must support the candidate who will bring us together, and make our nation more equal and just for everyone — and that person is Hillary Clinton.” 

A month ago, it was believed that Clinton had California in her pocket but a flurry of campaigning by Bernie Sanders throughout the state in the last two weeks has the race in a virtual tie, according to some polls.

While she was back east campaigning this week, Sanders stayed in California even making an appearance at the Golden State Warriors' clinching victory for the NBA's western conference championship. Clinton moved up her return to California to Thursday instead of waiting for the weekend hoping to bolster her lead.

RELATED: It's paramount to get more AAPI voters to the polls

"I am honored to have earned the endorsement of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Leadership PAC," said Clinton in response to the endorsement.

"As both First Lady and Senator from New York, I was proud to work with the AAPI community to build a fairer, freer, more tolerant and more inclusive America. During the 90s, the Clinton Administration launched the first-ever White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, so the federal government would be more deliberate about helping all parts of the AAPI community succeed. 

"As President, I will fight alongside the AAPI community to at last pass comprehensive immigration reform with a path to full and equal citizenship. Still today, applicants from the Asia-Pacific region make up about 40 percent of the family visa backlog, and too many have waited decades to have the chance to be back with their families. 

In her statement, she also said she would defend Obamacare and improve it, increase investment in education "with universal pre-K and debt-free tuition."

RELATED: Clinton's campaign targeting the AAPI vote

Clinton launched a campaign aimed at the growing AAPI community in California last year while Sanders was concentrating on the early primaries. She recently was the only Presidential candidate to attend an event of the Asian Pacific American Institute of Congressional Studies (where President Obama spoke) kicking off the nation's observance of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month even though all candidates were invited.

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For more news about Asian/Americans & Pacific Islanders, read AsAm News.

Candidate Lindy Li switches district in her effort to win congressional seat

Lindy Li

A FUNNY thing happened on the way to Congress. A little more than three months before Pennsylvania is scheduled to hold its primary election, energetic congressional cadndidate Llindy Li, who has amassed a pretty hefty campaign chest, decided to switch districts in which she will run.

This strategy would be risky for a weaker candidate, but Li might be putting herself in a better position for a victory if she could overcome the carpet-bagger accusations that #are sure to come.

RELATED: Lindy Li, made in America

In the 7th Congressional District near Philadelphia, where she originally intended to run, she would have beat a hotly contested primary with two other Democratic canddates and then face a 3-term Republican incumbent. In the 6th district, where she was born and where her parents still reside, the Democratic challenger Mike Parrish, an army vet and businessman, has raised only $26,445 for his primary campaign. In contrast, Li has amassed #250,000.

This is the first political campaign for the former financial analyst with Morgan Stanley. Li told NBC News that local and state party leadership, which she said originally encouraged her to run in the 7th District, had asked her to switch to the neighboring 6th District where she grew up. If she wins the 6th District primary, she will face a first-term Republican incumbent.

If successful, the 25-year old Li would become the youngest member of Congress. 

Li got a big boost when three veteran Asian/American Congressmembers endorsed her candidacy. Reps. Grace Meng (D-NY), Mike Honda (D-CA), and Ted Lieu (D-CA) are lending their support to here.

"I am incredibly honored to have the support of these outstanding community leaders and will continue to work hard to build a bottom-up grassroots campaign that addresses the concerns of all citizens in Pennsylvania's 6th," Li said in a statement.

"Lindy Li is an impressive woman," said Honda. "Her personal story and knowledge of the issues facing working families, along with her enthusiasm and work ethic, will serve the people of Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District well."

For more news about Asian/Americans and Pacific Americans, read AsAm News.

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Asian American political action committee endorses Clinton

Rep. Judy Chu introduced Hillary Clinton to Asian/Americans during a recent rally in San Gabriel, Calif.

SECRETARY OF STATE Hillary Clinton got a jump-start in winning the Asian/American Pacific Islander vote when she received the endorsement of an influential political action committee.

CAPA21 formally endorsed Clinton for President Thursday (Jan. 28), saying that her track record on AAPI issues and candidates is unmatched by any other presidential candidate of any party.“Hillary Clinton has clearly demonstrated her commitment to AAPI communities and issues,” said Glen S. Fukushima, CAPA21 co-founder and Chair in a press release. “As Senator, she was a leader on issues to improve the lives of AAPI families and communities. As Secretary of State, she understood that the importance of the Asia-Pacific region in U.S. foreign policy, which strongly impacts recent AAPI immigrant communities.”

“Hillary Clinton has appointed AAPIs to top positions in her campaign, crafted an AAPI-focused vision, and was the only candidate to hold a major event exclusively devoted to AAPIs,” said Dale Minami, CAPA21 co-founder and President. “A candidate’s actions, not just words, on AAPI priorities preview how she will perform once in office.”

Clinton, the Democratic frontrunner, is being challenged by Senator Bernie Sanders, who's popularity continues to grow, say national polls. Clinton maintains a small lead in Iowa, where caucuses will be held on Monday (Feb. 1),

RELATED: Clinton goes after AAPI votes

However, in New Hampshire, Sanders, who represents neighboring Vermont, is favored in nation's first primary,

CAPA21 is a national Asian American Pacific Islander PAC based in San Francisco, established in 2014 by Fukushima, Minami, and others to invest in progressive candidates, AAPI field operations, and AAPI voter engagement projects. CAPA21 is a successor to the Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans (CAPA), founded in 1988 as the country’s first national Asian American PAC and served the community until 2008.

“CAPA21’s vision is of a country where AAPIs have a powerful presence and role in all branches and levels of government and politics, achieved through AAPI voters who are engaged and empowered,” said Courtni Sunjoo Pugh, a CAPA21 Leadership Council Co-Chair. “Hillary is the best candidate to help us achieve that vision for AAPIs.”

CAPA21’s Leadership Council Co-Chairs include Ginger Lew, Maeley Tom, Mona Pasquil, Mark Keam, Steve Ngo, Phong La, Tessie Guillermo, Kiran Jain, and Dilawar Syed.

Asian American voters in the last decade have nearly doubled from more than two million voters in 2000 to 3.9 million voters in 2012 (Center for American Progress, AAPI Data). It is estimated that Asian Americans will reach five percent of voters nationally by 2025 and 10 percent of voters by 2044.

Asian American voter numbers are critical swing votes in Nevada, Virginia, and Florida and influenced the presidential elections in those states, as demonstrated in 2008 and again in 2012.

RELATED: Asian American voters lean towards Democrats, Sanders

Despite the growing importance of AAPIs, they face poor or non-existent language assistance at the voting booth, poor outreach from political parties, and oppressive voter ID laws (Center for American Progress) in several states.

Hillary Clinton’s outreach to AAPI communities has been strategically significant in a closer-than-expected contest for the Democratic Party's nomination for U.S. President.

Thus far, Secretary Clinton has:

• Appointed a record number of AAPIs to major roles her campaign, including: Huma Abedin, campaign vice chair; Dennis Cheng, finance director; Maya Harris, senior policy adviser; Mini Timmaraju, women’s outreach director; and Lisa Chandadveja, AAPI outreach director.
• Created a substantive connection to AAPI communities through the formation of the Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders for Hillary Leadership Council, a group of more than 150 elected officials, community, and grassroots leaders.
• Outlined her positions on AAPI issues through her “Vision for a Thriving AAPI Community,” recognizing continued challenges to our prosperity, such as enduring racism, language barriers, and a gender wage gap.
• Hosted an official campaign event devoted exclusively to AAPIs on January 7 in San Gabriel, California, joined by Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chair Rep. Judy Chu and dozens of AAPI elected officials and community leaders from across the nation.

For more news about Asian/Americans and Pacific Islanders, read AsAm News.

Journalist running for Lt. Governor of Washington

Philip Yin

By Louis Chan
Reprinted from AsAm News

Journalist and political newcomer Phillip Yin on Thursday declared his candidacy for Lt. Governor in the state of Washington.

Yin is running as a Republican in a state that is fairly evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats in state government.

Yin hopes to replace five-time Democratic incumbent Brad Owen who has yet to declare his candidacy for a sixth term.

Judging from the number of Democrats running to replace Owen, 4, his political opponents feel Owen is beatable.  While Owen has yet to officially declare, he has filed paperwork

So far there is only one other Republican who has declared his candidacy for Lt. Governor, Javier Figueroa, who is a Council member from the City of University Place which is west of Tacoma.

The primary is scheduled for August 2.

Yin is a former business news anchor for CCTV America. He has also worked for Bloomberg and the private equity investor, Unifund, according to his LinkedIn profile.

“I want a great economy with better jobs,” said Yin to AsAmNews when asked what issues were most important to him. “With my international experience, I feel I can bring even more great jobs and fuel the economy.”

Yin is not running away from the fact he is a political outsider.

“No one should have a lifetime in politics. I think it’s good to have private sector experience. It’s quite obvious from current events, people are sick and tired of the status quo,” he said.

Yin was raised in Washington state in Yakima where his parents ran a restaurant. His dad was an architect. He currently lives in Bellevue where he is raising three daughters. He is proud of the foundation he started for college students at the University of Washington, his alma mater.

“I know I can do more. This is a way to give back to the state.”

Yin is vague about why he is running. When asked, he points to the responsibilities of the office. He would be the potential tie breaking vote in the Senate where Republicans currently hold a slim 25 to 23 majority. He also sees the office as a business ambassador for the state with the potential to bring in new jobs.

“My background in international business, trade issues and transportation make this a perfect fit,” he said.

He sees both sides in the debate over affirmative action in both jobs and education saying everything should be merit based and no individual group should be discriminated against.

“It’s not a black-and-white answer,” said Yin about his position on the controversy.  “I appreciate affirmative action for opening up opportunities. We have to be careful of unintended consequences that could lead to discrimination.”

Eleven of Washington’s 15 Lt.Governors have been Republicans, but the state voted for Barack Obama in 2012 and elected a Democrat as its Governor, Jay Inslee, who is running for re-election. Democrats currently hold a narrow 50 – 48 edge in the House.

Yin cautions not to make too big of an issue of his affiliation with the Republican Party which has been criticized for its lack of diversity.

“Not all Republicans think the same, just as not all Democrats think the same. I stand on my personal record to embrace diversity. If that makes our party stronger, great. But I want to point out, the party doesn’t define me. People define the party.”

For more news about Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders, read AsAm News.

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