Elections
Year in review: Historic wins for AAPI in local elections, redistricting plans loom over future candidates
- Many Asian Americans have made history in 2021 by gaining seats in local government elections.
- Redistricting plans in many parts of the U.S., however, threaten Asian candidates running in upcoming elections by dividing Asian community voting blocs.
Over the last few months, an unprecedented number of Asian Americans have won positions in local government across the country. At the same time, statewide draft maps have proposed the division of Asian-majority communities, threatening Asians running for elected positions in future elections.
Historic winsThree Asian Americans were elected the first mayor of Asian descent in their cities in November. Bruce Harrell, a 63-year-old former attorney, became the second Black and first Asian mayor in Seattle’s history. Aftab Pureval, a 39-year-old Indian Tibetan lawyer, became the first Asian American mayor of Cincinnati. In Boston, City Councilor Michelle Wu, 36, became the first woman and first person of color to be elected mayor.
Andrew Yang’s Campaign Lays Off ‘Dozens’ of Staffers After Iowa Caucuses
Andrew Yang’s campaign has laid off dozens of staffers after the presidential candidate’s poor performance in the Iowa caucuses.
With 100% of precincts reporting, former Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Senator Bernie Sanders are locked in a virtual tie in the results, while Andrew Yang landed at 6th place with just 1% of the state delegates support.
Hong Kong Overwhelmingly Votes Pro-Democracy in Elections in Stunning Blow to Beijing
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam is now ready to “listen humbly” to the public after pro-democracy candidates overwhelmingly won in the recent local elections.
The pro-democracy camp won 17 out of the 18 district councils, claiming an overwhelming majority of the 452 seats in the community-level elections held on Sunday, according to Reuters.
Indian Candidate Sobs on TV Because He Only Got 5 Votes, But 9 Family Members Voted
An independent candidate for the Indian general election broke down in tears on live television after learning that he, at the time, believed he only received five votes at the booth where his family of nine cast their ballots.
Neetu Shutteran Wala, who contended for his civic seat in Jalandhar, Punjab, alleged that the voting machines had been manipulated against his favor.
Democratic Candidate Andrew Yang Actually Impressed Fox News Host Tucker Carlson
Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang made such compelling arguments for his platforms that even conservative political pundit Tucker Carlson appeared to be on board for most of them.
During an appearance on Fox News’ “Tucker Carlson Tonight” on Friday, Yang discussed how American jobs were facing serious threats from automation.
Children of Hmong Refugees Make Record Win in Minnesota Elections
Four Hmong Americans were elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives last month, the largest number since Hmong immigrants and refugees arrived in the U.S.
Among them is Samantha Vang, whose parents fled Laos years after a civil war ravaged the country.
Asian American Celebrities Join Forces To Get Out the Vote
Chinese-American comedian Kristina Wong, along with other Asian American entertainers and public figures, came together in a recent YouTube video to tell the AAPI community to “GET OUT THE VOTE.”
