On October 25, the Chinese-American Elected Officials (CEO) held an endorsement luncheon in Monterey Park. Stan Liu, the organization’s president, emphasized that this event aims to provide a final boost for candidates as elections approach, with the hope of increasing the influence of Chinese representatives.
Five candidates received endorsements at the luncheon: Sabrina Bow for Azusa City Council’s District 2, Tony Yeh for Torrance Unified School District, David Fu for Arcadia City Council’s District 1, Mindy Yeh for Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District’s District 2, and Kaylee Law for Walnut City Council. The event also featured seasoned political consultants Luis Alvarado and Andrew Pina, who shared insights on ongoing election trends, ballot return rates, and provided last-minute campaign advice to help candidates garner more support.
The luncheon attracted numerous community leaders, including Monterey Park Mayor Henry Lo, Arcadia City Council member John Cheng, and San Gabriel City Council member Ting Ying Yu. Yu mentioned that during her tenure, she improved road quality from a score of 52 to 82 and changed the city’s finances from a deficit to a surplus. If reelected, she plans to prioritize public safety.
Sabrina Bow, if elected, would make history as the first Asian American city council member in Azusa’s 125-year history, and the first female council member in 17 years. Her campaign focuses on enhancing public safety, maintaining cleanliness in the city, and addressing youth development. Tony Yeh from Torrance emphasizes campus safety, innovative curriculum, and teacher housing initiatives.
David Fu, who previously chaired the California Bar Association’s Real Estate Law Committee, is campaigning on his experience. Mindy Yeh, running for the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District, is focused on water resource management and is the only candidate endorsed by a majority of the current water commission members. Kaylee Law from Walnut holds a master’s degree in public management from Johns Hopkins University and aims to continue her family’s American dream.
Lee Sun, a candidate for Irvine mayor, has served on the city’s Investment Advisory Committee and Finance Committee for over 22 years. His platform includes strengthening public safety, improving transportation, enhancing housing affordability, and addressing homelessness. He proposes reducing the scale of new housing developments and managing the pace of growth cautiously. Hong Diana Zhao, running for Walnut City Council, advocates for adding dog parks and trails, introducing diverse food plazas, and beautifying city lighting while ensuring fiscal health.
This luncheon not only provided candidates a platform for mutual exchange but highlighted the growing enthusiasm for political participation among Chinese Americans. Ting Ying Yu expressed hope that such events would encourage more Chinese individuals to engage in public affairs, amplifying Chinese voices in local and federal policymaking.
The CEO has expanded from two or three founding members to over 50 today, showcasing the increasing involvement of Chinese Americans in the political landscape of the United States.
