Virginia's historic night: Filipino American political novice wins her first run for office

Kelly Convirs-Fowler won her first run in politics.

WE KNEW a Filipino/American was going to win tonight for the right to represent Virginia's District 21. The question was, would it be the Democratic Filipino/American, or the Republican Filipino/American.

Democratic challenger Kelly Fowler upset 4-term Delegate Ron Villanueva, garnering 53% ov the vote to 46%.

The first-time candidate entered the race after Donald Trump's election victory in 2016. She brought her daughter with her to take part in the Women's March the day after Trump's inauguration. She saidm it was then that she realized the march was for her as much as it was for her daughter.

RELATED: Filipino American vs. Filipino American for Virginia legislature

“After last year’s election, it’s amazing to win and feel like we’re making progress,” said Fowler, who was a teacher before becoming is a real estate broker.

Fowler's positions on issues were progressive. During the campaign she took

• As a gun owner, she supports background checks and a waiting period for anyone purchasing a gun.
• She believes in climate change and wants to protect District 21's coastal communities from the rising waters of Cheasapeake Bay.
• On women's issues, she supported a woman's right to choose equal pay, non-discrimination in the workplace, and strong laws that stop violence against women.
• As a daughter of immigrants, she supports Dreamers right to stay in the U.S. 
• The expansion of Medicaid in Virginia.

Fowler's election was one of 17 that the Democrats sought to win, reducing the GOP's two-thirds majority in the House of Delegates to perhaps 50 percent as the vote tally continues into the night..

The Democratic Party's victories in Virginia, from the Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General to the House of Delegates was seen as a rejection of Donald Trump and his politics of divisiveness and hate. What happened in Virginia bodes well for the Democrats and might cause the Republicans to reconsider the Trump strategy for the midterm elections in 2018,

A year ago, Fowler was just another disappointed supporter of Hillary Clinton. Like the hundreds of volunteers who made phone calls, knocked on doors and handed out flyers, Fowler turned hopelessness into action.
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Filipino Americans challenge each other for same post in Virginia elections

Incumbent Ronald Villanueva, left, is being challenged by Kelly Convirs-Fowler in Virginia's District 21.

ASAM NEWS and Views From the Edge contributed to this report

AS ASIAN/AMERICANS rise in political prominence, we will see this situtation occurring more and more: Asian/Americans competing against Asian/Americans for political office.

Perhaps what’s surprising, it’s happening in a state where Asian/Americans make up just 6.6 percent of the population.

Kelly Convirs-Fowler, whose grandfather grew up in the Philippines and grandmother labored in the artichoke fields of California, is running against four-time incumbent and Filipino/American Ronald Villanueva for the Virginia House of Delegates seat for District 21.

Villanueva is Republican and Convirs-Fowler is a Democrat in a race that is one of the most closely watched in the state.

Virginia voters will go to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 7, to determine the outcome for District 21, as well as the hotly contested race for governor, which pits Democrat Ralph Northam over GOP incumbent Ed Gillespie. A new Washington Post-Schar School poll shows Northam leading Gillespie by 53 percent to 40 percent among likely voters, with 4 percent supporting Libertarian Cliff Hyra.

Convirs-Fowler hopes the national attention given to the governor's race will help bring out Democrats Tuesday so she could upset Villanueva. District 21 voted for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in 2016.

“My family is an important part of my life, and I hope to make them proud by living this part of the American Dream, that any kid can grow up to participate in our legislative process,” said Convirs-Fowler to Asian Fortune News.

She supports the continuation of the DACA program

“Propaganda based on hate and fear runs counter to our values as Americans. We are a country built by immigrants and we should support those who look to us as they try to fulfill their American Dream. I believe that those brought here as children should not be classified as illegal immigrants and should have a clear path to citizenship. Children born here are citizens and their parents should have a clear path to citizenship.

"State and local law enforcement should not do the job of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The harassment or bullying of anyone who came to this country, whether legally or illegally, runs counter to American values,” she said.

Villanueva describes himself on his own Facebook page as conservative.

“We will reduce regulatory burdens that strangle small business, reform welfare from fraudulent spending so that the most needy Virginians receive the care they need, combat the opioid and heroin addiction, continue to improve in education, and invest in areas that will strengthen communities. We will balance the budget without raising taxes and prioritize spending on core functions including education, public safety, health and human resources, and transportation.” he wrote on his campaign website.

Republicans control both the House and Senate in Virginia, but Democrats have targeted this race as one of 17 that are flippable.

Although the majority of the District 21's voters are white, both Villanueva and Connivers-Fowler easily defeated their opponents in the June primary, which suggests that the candidates' race has not been an issue even though racial issues have impacted the governor's race.

Filipino/Americans are far and away the largest Asian group in District 21 with over 8,000 or about 10 percent of the total population living in the district,. All together, Asian/Americans make up about 12 percent of District 21, located in the southeastern part of the state, which includes the cities of Virginia Beach and Chesapeake.

According to the Virginian-Pilot, Fowler received two endorsements this week from celebrities who were raised in Virginia Beach: The Avengers star Mark Ruffalo and Grey’s Anatomy actor Jason George.

The Virginian-Pilot also endorsed her on Oct. 25, pointing out that “she gives voters ample reason to believe she can represent their interests effectively. Despite Villanueva’s record of service, Fowler makes a compelling case for change and is the better choice this year.”
Villanueva has been highlighting his notable endorsements, too, posting photos and statements from Virginia Beach residents who support his campaign on his Facebook page. Among his endorsements: A Regent University professor, an Old Dominion University MBA candidate and City Council member Jessica Abbott.
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