Former California Treasurer forms PAC to help Asian American candidates for office

JOHN CHIANG

Former California Treasurer John Chiang is staying in the political spotlight after losing in his bid for governor.
After his failed run for governor in June, 2018, Chiang is back to launch ElectAAPI.org. Its goal is to elect more AAPI Democrats for office.

“Polls show that the values of AAPI voters align with the priorities of the Democratic Party, such as expanding access to health care, investing in higher education, expanding economic opportunity to communities of color, and fixing our broken immigration system,” said Chiang in a statement. 

“We cannot take the AAPI community for granted," the statement continues. "That’s why ElectAAPI.Org will invest early in AAPI candidates to ensure our communities’ voices and concerns have a seat at the table, fighting to make the American Dream more accessible to everyone.”

Prior to becoming treasurer, he served as State Controller for two terms and the Board of Equalizations prior to that.

On its website, ElectAAPI.org says “our community is threatened by the policies and rhetoric of a growing right-wing faction of the electorate that seeks to target immigrants, people of color, and our shared commitment to economic fairness and middle-class mobility.”

For this point in time, ElectAAPI will concentrate on assisting Democratic candidates and not Republicans. 

"Until the Republican Party aggressively and earnestly rejects the growing racism, xenophobia, and intolerance being perpetuated by the GOP, our PAC will exclusively support Democrats for office," says the organization's website.
During his run for governor, Chiang received significant financial support from Asian American business leaders and entrepreneurs and proved to be a competent fundraiser despite his long shot campaign. He received 9.4 percent of the vote, placing fifth in the primary, which was led by eventual winner Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Views From the Edge contributed to this report.

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AAPI Vote 2018: AsAm legislators protest ad attacking John Chiang

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and Treasurer John Chiang battle it out. 

WITH LESS THAN TWO WEEKS to go before voters go to the polls for the California primary, the race for governor is turning nasty with a negative ad targeting fellow Democrat John Chiang from frontrunner Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom.

In a way, the attack ad is a compliment to Chiang, who has an outside chance of going head to head against Newsom in the November elections. He is airing an aggressive campaign against his chief rival, former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Asian American and Pacific Islander legislators wrote a strong protest letter to the California Medical Association and the California Dental Association, both of whom endorsed Newsom, protesting the ad's message.

In a press release, Chiang's campaign called the TV spot "false and erroneous" and said that the lattack from Newsom is a sign that Chiang is gaining public support. 

The battle for the June 5 primary in the governor's race is for No. 2. Newsom has consistently polled far ahead of everybody else. In California's rules, the top two vote-getters in the primary will have a run-off in November, regardless of party.

Newsom's attack ad claims that Chiang, who previously served as state treasurer and state controller, "lost track of $31 billion" during his stint as controller. 

The Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, chaired by Assemblymember Rob Bonta, sent a letter to the two medical groups in protest. 

"John is a strong advocate for true access to high-quality, affordable healthcare for all Californians," the letter said. "He believes that health care is a right for all, not a privilege for just the wealthy. He will protect and defend the Affordable Care Act against attacks from Washington. He will also prioritize access to preventative care, basic primary care, and he will fight to make needed prescription drugs affordable and accessible.

"These negative attacks on John are unfounded and unwarranted. Any effort to

diminish his track record of accomplishments with negative attacks is extremely

misguided. We call on CDA and CMA to cease these attacks immediately," the letter concluded.

It still doesn't explain why Newsom would spend some of his campaign chest against Chiang, who a month ago most observers believe finish third on JUne 5 - at best - but still out of the money. 

As for who would run against Newsom in November, it's a tossup. Most polls have the contest between Villaraigosa and one of the two Republicans running for governor Assemblymember Travis Allen or John Cox but Sunday, the San Francisco Chronicle had the three Democrats -- Villaraigosa, Chiang and Delaine Eastin.

Chiang's campaign created a website in November 2017 that highlighted a 2009 San Francisco Weekly article recalling Gavin's time as San Francisco's mayor. It was headlined "Why was Mayor Gavin Newsom's San Francisco Called 'the Worst Run Big City' in the U.S.?"

The website was taken down in January 2018 and Parke Skelton, Chiang's political consultant, resigned after that.

A political action committee (not affiliated or connected with Chiang's campaign) called Asian American Small Business PAC, created an anti-Newsom ad, which uses innuendo to suggest to viewers of an affair Newsom had in 2005 when he was San Francisco mayor. While the ad was never televised, it remains on the group's website and the PAC has the money in its war chest to air it.

As a registered PAC, Chiang has no control what the group puts out but Newsom does control the content of his campaign ad against Chiang.

“Gavin Newsom’s desperate attempt to attack John's record is evidence that John is gaining momentum, and that Gavin is scared to confront his biggest one-on-one threat this November,” said Fabien Levy, Deputy Campaign Manager and Communications Director for John Chiang’s campaign in the press release. “These dirty attacks show Gavin lacks the integrity to be governor and can't be trusted to tell the truth."

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

SCREEN CAPTURE

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. 

SCREEN CAPTURE

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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John Chiang embraces 'underdog' role in California governor's race

State Treasurer John Chiang is running for California governor.

IF ELECTED, State Treasurer John Chiang would become California's first Asian/American governor.

His problem is that hardly anyone knows he's running for the state's top office. In a Feb. 8 poll conducted by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of Calfiornia, 40 percent of respondents said they have favorable opinions of Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, but for Chiang, more than half said they have no opinion — or have never heard of him or the other five candidates.
Chiang's life story as the son of immigrants from Taiwan, growing up as one of the few Asian Americans in his schools and overcoming the taunts and racism that entails, then getting elected to statewide positions is inspirational.  His resume of public service is impeccable. He is devoid of any drama or scandal. He should be the frontrunner. Except ... this year. 

His opponents have bigger names and generally have more access to campaign funds. It sometimes seems, the other candidates have been preparing for this race their whole lives: building up their resumes, making positive life choices, nurturing friendships and relationships.

Chiang, the current State Treasurer,  is running against some well-known political  heavyweights: the current Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom, the former mayor of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigrosa are in a virtual toss-up as frontrunners. 

Even though Chiang won statewide elections as Controller and Treasurer, plus his years on the State Board of Equalization, those years working in the background are not the "glamor" posts that garner headlines.

He is best known for two bold moves: Resisting Gov. Arnold Schwarzennegar's order to reduce state workers' paychecks to minimum wage until a budget is passed in 2010 (Chiang eventually lost that fight in court but by then, the impasse had passed); and withholding the paychecks of state lawmakers until they pass the 2011 budget.

Despite those two actions, years overseeing the "numbers" trying to balance the books isn't as attention-getting or glitzy as hanging out with the stars, declaring LGBTQ marriages equal, or headline-grabbing positions on Latino empowerment or the #MeToo movement like his opponents have done.

Despite looking like a bookkeeper, the bespectacled Chiang has proven to be a tough campaigner whether it be among the Central Valley's farmers, in the big city ethnic enclaves, the offices of Silicon Valley or in the halls of the capitol.

He has embraced the underdog characterization of his campaign, hoping the American penchant for rooting for the underdog will work to his advantage.

"Growing up in the midwest, we were called plenty of names by folks. I would hear 'gook' and 'chink,' commonly.  It was a very different era and it wasn’t easy," he said.

Chiang's biggest advantage, is that all of his opponents have major flaws. In California's election rules, only the top two vote-getters in the June primary will run against each other in November, no matter what party affiliation. Most likely, the two finalists will be Democrats. California is the bluest of blue states and Donald Trump's presidency will bring out a heavy anti-GOP vote.

Running one-on-one, Chiang would have a better chance, even against the well-financed, Hollywood darling and leading-man handsome Gavin Newsom, who most California watchers would consider the frontrunner.

L.A. City Councilman Jose Huizar
endorses John Chiang.

Though Newsom declared his intention to run for Governor in 2015, a year before Chiang announced his candidacy, Chiang has shown he has statewide appeal from major donors. At the beginning of his campaign in 2016, he drew heavily from Asian/American supporters. but has reached out to other interest groups. 

Early in his campaign, he received a key endorsement from the influential Latino leader, Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar that will help him against Villaraigrosa's base of support:

“If you want flash and no substance, look no further than the White House at this time and see how that’s working out. But if you want a trusted, steady and fearless leader who knows when to get tough against special interests, who knows when to cross the aisle to get things done for the people, then John Chiang is your choice for governor," said Huizar.

“He’s been a leader on important issues like getting more money for affordable housing, making sure that more California children have access to higher education, and making sure that even in these tough economic times, he was able to find funds for those things that are important to California people … He is a progressive who knows how to balance a checkbook.

He has the habit of falling back on his 20 years of public service when speaking to the general public. He has apologized for getting too "wonky."

In California's primary, voters can cross party lines to vote for a candidate. If Chiang's fiscal background can attract some moderate Republicans and/or the 30 percent of undecided voters, he could wind up as one of the top two finishers. As governor, “I’d be aspirational,” he told the San Francisco Chronicle. “If there’s anywhere you can dream, it’s California.”

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John Chiang's bid for California governorship cannot be ignored

John Chiang, front right, joined demonstrators protesting President Trump's Muslim ban.

ASAM NEWS
STATE TREASURER JOHN CHIANG'S campaign for Governor of California is picking up speed after winning the endorsement of an influential Democrat.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Chiang’s most recent financial report revealed that he raised $4.2 million in 2016, almost matching the amount raised by Democratic frontrunner Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom in the same year.

Chiang, the state treasurer, has less name recognition than several of his opponents, but he picked up the early endorsement of Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) on Tuesday. Though not a household name, Rendon is one of the most influential politicians in the state.

“[This] makes John Chiang the candidate to watch in the race. Between an endorsement like this and the fundraising string that John Chiang has shown in the campaign, it’s clear that this is at least a two-person race — it’s probably going to be a three- or four-person race,” Democratic political consultant Katie Merrill said to the Los Angeles Times. “There is no clear front-runner now.”

Newsom announced he was running for Governor in January 2015, almost four years before the election in 2018. He currently leads in fundraising.

Chiang jumped into the race in May 2016, followed by former California superintendent of public instruction Delaine Eastin in November, then former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Despite winning three statewide elections, one for treasurer and two for controller, Chiang is less known statewide than Newsom and Villaraigosa, who became top contenders as soon as they entered.

“Even though Chiang has had a lower profile than Newsom and Villaraigosa, his fundraising and endorsements like this make him an even bet in the field,” said Dan Schnur, Professor at USC’s Annenberg School for Communication, according to the Los Angeles Times. “He’s the undervalued stock in the governor’s race.”

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