By Assunta Ng
Northwest Asia Weekly
For Asian Americans, November is an extraordinary month. The results of the election were beyond the expectations of several local Asian candidates. In the tough game, no one knew the result until the last vote was counted. Even if some people came second after the primary election, how did they turn the tide?
“The winning Asian candidates are not ideologically oriented, they are far from partisan politics,” said Chen Yupei, one of the founders of the Washington Chinese American Political Action Committee. “They don’t have a right or left. They focus on things that are important to the community and voters who are tired of partisan politics.”
Another important factor is that “Asian candidates themselves are very qualified and well-educated… Many graduated from Harvard and Yale University, and they have invested in the community (such as volunteering and building goodwill).”
On November 2, former Seattle City Councilman Bruce Harrell became the first Asian and second black mayor. He won 58% of the vote. Among all the mayoral candidates, he is considered to be the least “Left” and more inclined to the middle.
Vivienne Song Maritz
Vivian Song Maritz won a seat on the Seattle School Board with 72% of the vote. Although she was not recognized by the Seattle Times, this was a key step to victory, especially for an unknown candidate. She and Harrell are the only Asian candidates running in Seattle.
Maritz was born in Ohio, and his immigrant parents are from Taiwan. When asked why she won such a big prize, she replied: “I am humbled by the results. I am an unusual Asian candidate. There is no Asian representative (despite the large number of Asian students, but in school In the board of directors).
“I started school as an English as a Second Language (ESL) student,” she said. “My mother tongue is not a mainstream language. I can resonate with ESL students.”
The Seattle School District serves 6,948 English learners who have contributed 162 languages to the 154 languages spoken by families in the district.
“I understand how difficult it is for my parents to receive public education and are unfamiliar with the system.” She added, “I have a disability status because I have a disability.” She was born with hearing loss.
Maritz is passionate about ethnic research. She wanted students to understand the importance of Chinese Americans building railroads and the importance of Japanese Americans being imprisoned during World War II. Because she has many unique opinions, Maritz said that voters resonated with her.
Maritz, who graduated from Harvard University with an MBA and a bachelor’s degree, will become the second Chinese American elected in the Seattle Public School District since the late Cheryl Chow.
Chen Weier
Chen Weier became a member of the Edmonds City Council in the second place in the primary election. Some of his supporters are worried. When he fell behind by 344 votes to 397 on November 3, Election Day was even more dramatic. But Chen became the winner. Out of 15,474 votes cast for him and his opponents, he won with 144 votes.
Chen was the first person of color to be elected to the Edmonds City Council, which is only 10% Asian, 3% black, and 80% white.
Chen attributed his first successful election for public office to his community involvement.
“My reputation is very high,” he said. In his spare time, he voluntarily went to the beach to pick up trash and planted trees in the park. As the only Asian volunteer, he is proud to participate in the Edmonds Marsh Project to protect fish and wildlife. He is also a member of the Rotary Club, the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the 24-member Edmonds Housing Committee, and he is one of two Asian Americans on the committee.
Chen announced his candidacy after seeing the rise in anti-Asian hate crime activity across the country and Washington State. Soon, he organized an anti-hate crime rally in Edmonds.
“I know I will succeed because I have experienced a lot in my life,” he said. Chen is far away from poverty and his motherland, China. His parents were farmers, and he was homeless when he was 10 years old.
As an accountant, Chen holds a master’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in business administration from Western Washington University.
Hasegawa Toshiko
33-year-old Toshiko Hasegawa won a seat on the Port of Seattle Commission, becoming the first Asian American woman elected to the position. Together with Commissioner Sam Cho and the newly elected African-American Hamdi Mohamed, the Port Commission (with five seats) will allow people of color to become a majority for the first time in history.
Toshiko Hasegawa (left) with her supporters Abriel Johnny (center) and Bre Jefferson.
Hasegawa’s game was a difficult one because she had to get rid of a well-known and popular incumbent, Peter Steinbruck, who was also a former Seattle City Councillor. Critics accuse her of her age as a sign of lack of experience.
As the daughter of state senator Bob Hasegawa, Hasegawa has its own advantages.
“I am the daughter of labor.” Her father works for the union and is a progressive person.
Her strategy is not only concentrated in Seattle, but also in South County and the Eastern District.
“I won all 17 Democratic legislative districts. From labor, Democrats to environmentalists, my message resonated with voters.” A group of voters that Hasegawa did not mention is her attraction to working mothers. When I decided to run at the beginning of the year, my daughter was only 3 months old.
The new normal of the Zoom meeting has become an advantage for winning elections. During the campaign, Hasegawa participated in more than 150 Zoom meetings. Hasegawa said that if she had to participate in face-to-face meetings, she would not be able to balance parenting, family and career. Hasegawa is the executive director of the Washington State Committee on Asian American Affairs and a member of Governor Insley’s cabinet. But she said that her family and her husband and daughter share equal responsibilities, and their support has had a huge impact.
Gary Locke-influencer
The former governor Gary Locke may not run for any office in the November election, but his name and photos appear in many campaign brochures. This is very important.
Gary Locke Seal of Approval
Locke supports many important campaigns in Seattle, including Seattle Mayor-elect Bruce Harrell, Seattle City Council-elect Sara Nelson, and Seattle City Attorney-elect Ann Davidson. They all won. Nelson won with 8 points and Davidson won with 4 points.
Nelson’s campaign flyer only has two spokespersons, Locke and Rev. Harriett Warden. Nelson said she had contacted Locke for his support because “he is a respected leader in the community, a former governor, and someone appointed by Obama, and he is an outstanding member of the Asian community.” Nelson said she picked A spokesperson representing many people. During the campaign, she established relationships with people of color. The warden has a strong voice in the black community and is concerned about public safety.
“As a business owner, I represent the values of voters, and voters are finally fed up with false statements.” Nelson and her husband own Fremont Brewing.
Regarding Locke’s endorsement, Davidson’s campaign team stated, “All endorsements are important. With this generation’s arrival immediately after the primary election, he (Locke) and former Governor Gregoire have given precious valuables to my campaign. promote.”
Assunta can be reached assunta@nwasianweekly.com.
