|
|
 |
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Have the Potential to
Swing Races Across the Country
Release by APIAVote
Washington, D.C. – November 3, 2006 – This election
cycle presents an opportunity for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
to expand their sphere of influence beyond traditional strongholds in
California and Hawaii. Recent polls suggest that several senatorial,
congressional and gubernatorial races will be decided by a small
margin. Given the growth in numbers and empowerment across the Asian
American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, our voters are poised to
exercise a critical role in determining elections across the nation.
An increase in overall population, higher
citizenship rates and a high probability of voter participation equate
to a stronger and broader political base for the Asian American and
Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. “The numbers don’t lie – our
community is growing and becoming naturalized at higher rates than years
past. However, unless we mobilize our community to participate in the
political process, these numbers will not transfer into political
empowerment. If we are effective at increasing voter participation
rates in the AAPI community, elected officials will have to listen to
our concerns,” said Christine Chen, Executive Director of APIAVote.
In U.S. Senatorial races, Asian American voters may
play a critical role in the following elections:
-
In Virginia, where Asian American voters
comprise 3.1% of the voting age population, incumbent George Allen
(R) is locked in a fiercely contested race with James Webb (D). In
a recent poll conducted by CNN from October 26-29, 2006, Webb held a
4% lead over Allen. However, two polls conducted immediately prior
to this poll suggest that Allen held a small lead, albeit a marginal
one. Allen enraged many in the APIA community in August when he
referred to a Webb volunteer of Indian descent as a “macaca,” a word
that means monkey. While Allen apologized for his remark, the Webb
campaign has utilized his inappropriate comment to actively reach
out to the APIA community through targeted literature drops,
campaign fund raisers and phone-banking efforts.
-
In New Jersey, where Asian Americans
represent 3.5% of the voting age population, incumbent Robert
Menendez (D), the state’s first Hispanic senator, is in a battle
with current State Senator Thomas H. Kean (R). A CNN poll conducted
between October 26-29 revealed a 7% lead by Menendez lead over Kean.
In U.S. Congressional races, Asian American voters
may have a decisive role in the following elections:
- In California’s 11th Congressional District, Asian
Americans comprise 10.7% voting age population. Many are surprised
that Richard Pombo, a seven-term incumbent and chairman of the House
Resource Committee is fighting off challenges by Gerald McNerney
(D).
- In California’s 50th Congressional District Asian
Americans constitute nearly 13% of the potential electorate. Brian
Bilbray (R) narrowly defeated Francine Busby (D) in a June 6 special
election to replace the seat vacated by former Congressman Randy
“Duke” Cunningham. Recognizing the influence of the APA voter bloc,
Busby has attended several events targeting the AAPI community. He
placed an ad in the Filipino Press and participated in GOTV
activities with a local Filipino-American organization.
- In New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, where Asian
Americans comprise over 7% of the voting age population, making it
the largest ethnic minority in the district. Incumbent Michael
Ferguson (R) is facing challenger Linda Stender (D), a member of the
New Jersey General Assembly. The Stender campaign conducted a press
conference emphasizing how improvements in the economy and
educational system will ultimately benefit the AAPI community.
- In Washington State’s 8th Congressional District Asian
Americans constitute 7.6% of the electorate.and incumbent first–term
Congressman, Dave Reichert (R), is facing Darcy Burner (D), a former
Microsoft executive. The APA population in this district is
continuing to grow and currently has double the population of 10
years prior. Recognizing this growth, the Burner campaign is
conducting extensive outreach to AAPI voters. These efforts include
translating outreach materials into Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese,
bilingual phone banks and campaign ads in three of the major ethnic
newspapers in the region.
In Gubernatorial elections, Asian American voters
have the potential to impact the following races:
- In Minnesota, where Asian Americans comprise close to 3%
of the voting aged population, incumbent Tim Pawlenty (R) is seeking
re-election and is engaged in a tough race with Mike Hatch (D), the
current Attorney General. In a recent poll conducted by the Star
Tribune from October 6 – 11, 2006, Pawlenty held a 9% lead over
Hatch. However, earlier polls suggested a closer race. In a poll
conducted by the University of Minnesota from September 13-18, 2006,
Pawlenty’s lead was only 2%, and in a poll conducted by the Star
Tribune from September 13-15, 2006, both candidates held a 42%
support rate.
- In Nevada, Asian Americans comprise 4.6% of the voting
age population, Here James Gibbons (R) and Dina Titus (D) are
battling for the seat vacated by current Governor Kenny C. Guinn.
In a poll conducted by Mason-Dixon from September 19-21, 2006,
Gibbons (R) held a 9% lead over Titus (D). However, in a poll
conducted by Research 2000 from September 1 – 7, 2006, Gibbons’ lead
was 7% over Titus (D). Between 1990 to 2000, Nevada experienced the
fastest growth in the Asian American population and second fastest
growth in Pacific Islander population across the nation. Recently,
the Titus campaign attended a town hall meeting targeting Asian
American and Pacific Islanders and also organized an AAPI dinner.
The Gibbons campaign organized fundraisers, meet-and-greets and a
rally targeting AAPI voters.
To capitalize on these developments, APIAVote has
forged effective partnerships with local organizations to mobilize the
AAPI vote in 4 states – Michigan, Washington State, Nevada and
Minnesota. These voter mobilization efforts have taken several forms
based on the strengths and needs of local communities. However, many of
the programs incorporate a direct mailing, automated “robo” calls,
direct voter contact, phone bank operations, canvassing and literature
drops. Several of the programs also contain elements specific to the
Asian American and Pacific Islander community. For example, as part of
their voter engagement strategy for the Lao community the Minnesota
program included outreach to members of the Lao Buddhist temples, and
the Nevada program translated an outreach flyer into Tagalog, Chinese,
Vietnamese and Korean to target AAPI small business owners.
In a democracy where elections are the mechanism by
which the people govern, the Asian American and Pacific Islander
community is raising its voice!
Learn More
Other Recent Readings of Interest @ AAV
The Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote.org)
is a national non-partisan, nonprofit organization that
encourages and promotes civic participation of Asian Pacific Islander
Americans in the electoral and public policy processes at
the national, state and local levels.
|
