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Mass. APA Group Crosses Party Lines for City
Council Candidate
Democrat Sam Yoon gets backing from Asian
Republican group in preparation for race against city
heavyweights
By Adam Smith, Sampan
July 1, 2005 - "I'm a Democrat. I might even describe myself as a
bleeding heart liberal," said Boston City Council At-Large candidate Sam
Yoon at a recent political discussion.
Yet despite his political ideology, Yoon recently received a boost of
support from an unlikely group: Asian Republicans of Massachusetts.
The Asian Republican group celebrated for Yoon -- the first Asian
American to run for city council in Boston -- on June 22 at Dominick’s
restaurant near Chinatown.
Asian Republicans of Massachusetts is one of several diverse groups
supporting Yoon, who came to the U.S. from Korea when he was about one
year old. According to his fundraising records, he has so far received
support from various members of the local Asian and non-Asian
communities, as well as from people who don't even live in Boston, and
who would appear politically opposite to him, such as Republicans.
"We feel that regardless of whether he's a Democrat or Republican, or
Chinese or Korean, such a young Asian American of his caliber committing
himself [to run for city council] is worthy of support," said Joe Wong,
president of Asian Republicans of Massachusetts.
When asked how the group reconciles supporting a candidate who is at a
different end of the political spectrum, Wong said: "As far as we are
concerned at Asian Republicans of Massachusetts, Asians come first,
before the Republicans. Without the Asian community supporting us, we
would be no use to the Republican party."
Other members added that the reason the group decided to support Yoon is
because he is taking the initiative to run and he is inspiring a higher
level of political activity beyond voting.
"The political process is crucial to succeeding in this society," said
Yoke Wong, a member of the Republican association. He said he feels Yoon
is an "advocate" for the Asian community.
"Simply being Asian wouldn't be enough for us [to support him]," said
David Wong, secretary of the association. "He knows the community and he
cares."
Joe Wong said Yoon approached the group several months ago, asking for
their support.
"I am proud to bring together a diverse group of Bostonians, of all
races, religions, and perspectives," said Yoon, who said he would take a
"progressive approach" to improving education, increasing affordable
housing, and strengthening Boston communities.
Yoon became familiar in Chinatown through his previous work at the Asian
Community Development Corporation, which co-developed the mixed-income
Metropolitan housing complex in Chinatown recently. Yoon took a leave of
absence from Asian CDC in April.
The Dorchester resident previously worked as a teacher in Trenton and
Elizabeth, New Jersey. He graduated from Princeton University, earning a
teacher’s license and a bachelor's degree in philosophy.
Yoon will face what is expected to be a tight race to fill the four
At-Large council seats. At last count, about 15 people -– including
heavyweights such as Michael Flaherty and long-time councilors such as
Stephen J. Murphy -– were also vying for the four seats. Other
competitors include the city's first Hispanic councilor, Felix Arroyo,
and candidates who have Boston political family ties, such as Patricia
H. White, daughter of former mayor Kevin White; Edward Flynn, son of
former Boston mayor Raymond Flynn, and John Connolly, whose father
served in the Massachusetts house of representatives and as secretary of
state, and whose mother is chief justice of the Massachusetts State
District Court.
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