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Ben Chin for Mayor – Lewiston, Maine
Click Here to Help Elect Ben Chin

On December 8, 2015, Lewiston, Maine will hold one of the most-watched municipal elections in the country.

Ben Chin, a 30-year-old, third-generation Chinese American, and the Democratic Party’s candidate, is running for Mayor in a hotly contested runoff against a Republican incumbent. His campaign is courageous and inspiring.

Ben won the most votes during the primary on November 3rd. Now, he is facing off against a terrible Republican incumbent who has made national news by telling Somali immigrants to “leave your culture at the door” and threatening to publish the names and addresses of people receiving public assistance. If Ben wins the runoff on December 8th, it will be a major change for Lewiston.

The campaign is all-hands-on-deck getting supporters to vote early before the December 3rd early voting deadline. That’s why Ben needs our help. Please click here to sign up to make calls from home for Ben Chin. (Note: Time frames on the sign-up are Eastern Time)

Ben has gone up against racist attacks that made national news and religious attacks on his Christianity. He’s responded every step of the way with grit and grace, and he’s never backed down from his values.

Ben Chin’s election will help set a new standard for running on progressive values, rising above attacks, and bringing people together in Maine.

Let’s lend a hand (or phone) to help elect the Democratic Party’s choice for Lewiston Mayor in Maine. Let’s help Ben and the Maine Democrats make history.

Every phone call you make and every voter you reach will be the margin of victory. Click here to sign up and help make calls for Ben today.

Click here to visit the Ben Chin for Mayor website.

California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus Chair Clark Lee released the following statement on Roanoke, Virginia Mayor David Bowers’s comments invoking the Japanese internment in World War II in addressing his refusal of Syrian refugee assistance:

On behalf of the California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus, we strongly condemn Roanoke Mayor David Bowers’s comments on the Japanese internment during World War II.

In a statement, Roanoke Mayor David Bowers invoked the Japanese internment during World War II in his request to “suspend any further Syrian refugee assistance” in Roanoke, Virginia, noting that the “threat of harm to America from Isis now is just as real and serious as that from our enemies” during World War II, which “compelled” the President to “sequester Japanese foreign nationals after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.”

The Japanese internment and several other anti-immigrant policies were dark moments in our nation’s history that have had devastating consequences. This type of racially insensitive rhetoric that perpetuates xenophobia, discrimination, and racism has no place in the Democratic Party and has no place in America.

Immigrants are the backbone of America. Diversity is our strength that exists nowhere else on Earth. We must work together with compassion in addressing humanitarian needs and with resolve in securing our common future to protect the fundamental values that we cherish.

We call on Mayor Bowers to issue an immediate apology for his offensive and insensitive comments.

As an official Caucus of the California Democratic Party (CDP), the CDP Asian Pacific Islander Caucus follows the official endorsements of the California Democratic Party for federal and state races. The CDP Asian Pacific Islander Caucus follows the official endorsements of local County Democratic Parties in local and municipal races. If you are an Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Democrat running for office, please see information below on how to seek endorsements.

Federal and State Races: For more information on California Democratic Party endorsements, visit the California Democratic Party website.

Local and Municipal Races: For more information on local County Democratic Party endorsements, click here for a listing of contact information of the local County Democratic Parties in California.

Official Democratic Party Endorsements
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Candidates

We need YOUR help to help elect the officially endorsed AAPI candidates of the Democratic Party in these critical races.

Below is a list of official endorsements issued by the California Democratic Party and local County Democratic Parties featuring AAPI candidates. Please contact the campaigns directly and help them win today!

November 3, 2015 Local Elections Preliminary Results

As of 11/4/2015

CANDIDATES (*Incumbent)

Los Angeles County Democratic Party

Mt. San Antonio Community College District
Area 5 – Jay Chen – WON

Garvey School District
Henry Lo* – WON

Riverside County Democratic Party

Riverside Unified School District
I. Angelov Farooq – WON

San Bernardino County Democratic Party

San Bernardino City Unified School District
Kaiser Ahmed – LOST

San Francisco Democratic Party

San Francisco Mayor
Ed Lee* – WON

San Mateo County Democratic Party

Cities

Belmont City Council
Doug Kim – WON

Burlingame City Council 
Nirmala Bandrapalli – LOST

Foster City Council 
Sam Hindi – WON

Millbrae City Council 
Wayne Lee* – WON

School Districts

Belmont-Redwood Shores School District
Huan Phan – WON

Jefferson Elementary School District (2-Year Term)
Clayton Koo – WON

San Mateo-Foster City School District
Audrey Ng* – WON

**If we have missed any Democratic Party-endorsed AAPI candidates, please let us know by emailing cademparty.apicaucus@gmail.com.

The California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus is proud to partner with the Los Angeles County Democratic Party and the California Faculty Association in presenting “Countdown to 2016: A Summit for Democratic Activists and Club Members” on Sunday, October 25, 2015, at California State University, Los Angeles.

Join with Democratic activists and club leaders to:

• Get the training needed to win in 2016 and beyond, with special briefings on elections, voting systems, voter data and campaigns for President, Congress, State Legislature, and Ballot Measures
• Improve your campaign, organizing, and communication skills
• Learn how to build and manage your organization

Click here to access the Summit agenda and workshop programming.

No charge to attend the summit. Lunch will be provided. Voluntary donations of $10 to $20 per attendee will be requested to help underwrite the cost of the event and lunch. Sponsorship opportunities are also available by clicking here.

California State University, Los Angeles
5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles
The Golden Eagle Building – Third Floor Ballroom
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Parking: $6 all-day parking is available in Parking Structure C
Please contact us for disabled access or reduced distance parking arrangement.

Click here for CSU Los Angeles campus map

Click here to RSVP
Venue is accessible
Questions, please contact summit@lacdp.org or 213-379-9287

After the summit, join us from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM for a social hour.

At 6:00 PM there will be an optional dinner, at a cost of $40, featuring a participative discussion on important policy issues. Dinner reservations are likely to sell out, so reserve your spot today.

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

The first Democratic Presidential Debate showed many contrasts between the Democratic candidates and the Republican candidates.

Most importantly, we have five exceptional candidates and public servants who are running for President to keep moving America forward, while the Republican candidates are competing to be the next Racist-in-Chief.

Here is the latest: During the #DemDebate, former GOP Governor Mike Huckabee just became fully racially-charged against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) with his racially derogatory tweet (see below). This xenophobic message speaks for itself. The staggering number of racially insensitive remarks from the cast of GOP clowns now officially qualifies the GOP as the “Grand Offensive Party.”

One thing we can all agree on is: we need a Democrat in the White House if we want to keep America on the right track – a more vibrant economy, a stronger middle class, a more robust healthcare system, a more affordable higher education, a celebrated diversity, and a brighter future.

We cannot afford a repeat of the Bush-era GOP disaster that will roll back the progress we have made under President Obama. Most importantly, America cannot have a President who does not understand racial dynamics and does not know how to cherish the diversity that is the strength of America.

That’s why we ask you to join us and take the WE AGREE 2016 Pledge: sign the pledge to ensure Democratic victory in 2016 and continue the Democratic leadership that is good for the country, for families, and for our communities.

Lastly, we ask you to join the CADEM Asian Pacific Islander Caucus membership to help beat back the Grand Offensive Party and get out the critical AAPI vote for a Democratic victory in 2016!

We might not have had a candidate giving high-fives during our Debate, but our five outstanding Democratic candidates are the high fives that would be better than any GOP candidate as President, any day.

Victory 2016,

Clark Lee
State Chair, Asian Pacific Islander Caucus
California Democratic Party

Please join us for campaign mobilizations to help elect Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Democrats in the November 3, 2015 local elections – we need your help to win these critical races in our neighborhoods!

Please see below on how you can join us for our campaign mobilizations in Northern California and in Southern California.

Additionally, please visit our Endorsements Page to see the Democratic Party-endorsed AAPI local candidates in the November 2015 elections.

ONLINE PHONEBANKING – NORTHERN CA
Now Through November 3, 2015
Nirmala Bandrapalli for Burlingame City Council

Click Here to Access Phone List & Begin Calling
Click Here to View Phone Script
Click Here to View Candidate Issue Sheet

Contact: aref.aziz9@gmail.com

GOTV WALK MOBILIZATION – SOUTHERN CA
Saturday, October 31, 2015
Henry Lo for Garvey School District (Re-Election)

Saturday, October 31, 2015 – 10:00 AM
417 E. Mooney Dr. Unit D
Monterey Park, CA 91755

RSVP: cademparty.apicaucus@gmail.com

GOTV WALK MOBILIZATION – SOUTHERN CA
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Jay Chen for Mt. San Antonio Community College District

Sunday, November 1, 2015 – 10:00 AM
16367 Colegio Dr.
Hacienda Heights, CA 91745

RSVP: cademparty.apicaucus@gmail.com

Jeb Bush’s problem isn’t just his last name. It’s his racial insensitivity.

At a press conference on Monday, Jeb Bush said that the term “anchor babies” is “more related to Asian people coming into our country.”

The use of this type of derogatory term that invokes xenophobia has no place in any debate on immigration, regardless of how it is applied or to whom it is applied. No candidate should ever use racially-charged language to score cheap political points in America.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time that a Republican candidate has used such offensive words and tactics in a campaign. And, for Jeb Bush, touting his own family’s diversity does not give him a free pass in using this kind of discriminatory remarks in referring to any immigrant of any background.

Thus, on behalf of the California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus, we condemn Jeb Bush’s racially-charged comment on the Asian American and Pacific Islander community and the immigrant community at large.

As we work toward sensible and comprehensive immigration reform, we must work to make sure that this type of offensive attitude, behavior, and language is not part of the equation.

Clark Lee
State Chair, Asian Pacific Islander Caucus
California Democratic Party

Join our Caucus at the California Democratic Party 2015 Summer/Fall Executive Board Meeting in Burlingame!

2015 CADEM Summer/Fall Executive Board Meeting
Asian Pacific Islander Caucus Meeting

Friday, August 14, 20158:15 PM – 10:15 PMHyatt Regency San Francisco Airport (Meeting Room TBA)1333 Bayshore HwyBurlingame, CA 94010Click here to see the tentative CADEM Asian Pacific Islander Caucus Meeting agenda

Spotlight & Special Recognition: 

Chris Masami MyersCADEM Executive Director– – –

Featured Presentation:
How to Become a Delegate to the
2016 Democratic National Convention

Eric C. BaumanCADEM Vice ChairCADEM Delegate Selection Affirmative Action Committee MemberLos Angeles County Democratic Party ChairClick here to visit the CADEM Executive Board Meeting websiteQuestions, please email cademparty.apicaucus@gmail.com.

Fifty years ago today, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965, a defining moment in the American Civil Rights Movement and a major achievement by the many women and men who fought to make it a reality.

The Voting Rights Act is hailed as one of the most effective civil rights legislation ever enacted, protecting the fundamental right to vote for all Americans and embracing America’s diversity as our great strength found nowhere else in the world.

As we celebrate #VRA50, our fight against systemic discrimination, inequality, and impediments to voting continues today.

We have come far since the days of Jim Crow laws, the Chinese Exclusion Act, the literacy tests, the poll taxes, and the Internment Camps. Nevertheless, the safeguards for the right to vote are being chipped away piece by piece by several states enacting restrictions on voting; even the U.S. Supreme Court weakened key sections of the VRA. We need to work together to restore the VRA.

As a first generation American, I often reflect about that day when I became a U.S. citizen and registered to vote. I often reflect on the times when I helped register new citizens to vote at naturalization ceremonies alongside many activists, each of whom have stories of their own about what inspired them. I often reflect about the excitement on the faces of the new citizens as they become voters and cannot wait to cast a vote for the first time as Americans. That’s what inspired me when I first volunteered fifteen years ago and continues to inspire me to do what I do.

Let us continue working together to protect the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement and restore the Voting Rights Act.

Click here to join the California Democratic Party and pledge to increase voter participation, expand ballot access, and help strengthen America to become the beacon of democracy once again.

I look forward to continue fighting alongside everyone to make sure all of our voices could be heard at the ballot box.

Clark Lee
State Chair, Asian Pacific Islander Caucus
California Democratic Party

This Sunday, July 19, multiple anti-LGBTQ Chinese American churches are marching against marriage equality in LA’s San Gabriel Valley. In a statement to the largest Chinese-language newspaper in the US, they condemned the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic decision on marriage equality and declared “homosexuality a harm to public health.”

In response, API Equality-LA, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles, and many community groups will be holding a rally against this march. The California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus (CDP API Caucus) is proud to be a part of this rapid response effort.

Join us to show that Asian Americans celebrate LGBTQ equality and oppose the prejudice, fear, and misinformation that fuels homophobia in the API community.

Let us remind them that the right to marry is a fundamental right under the US Constitution; marriage equality is a remarkable victory in our continuing Civil Rights struggle. The High Court has made it clear that any attempt to promulgate discrimination runs afoul of our Constitution.

Rally for Marriage Equality Against Homophobic March on Sunday in San Gabriel Valley!

Co-Sponsors (In Formation)
APAIT
California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus
Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC)
OCA-Greater Los Angeles
Pasadena Pride Center
San Gabriel Valley Pride
VROC-Viet Rainbow of Orange County

Sunday, July 19, 2015 – 2:30 PM
The Del Mar Park and Ride
1753 S. Del Mar Ave.
San Gabriel, CA 91778

Contact: Tracy Zhao / tracy@apiequalityla.org

Click here for event information on Facebook

Del Mar Park and Ride is a free parking lot located at the intersection of Del Mar and Norwood Ave with 128 spaces. If parking is full, there is ample street parking in the neighborhood. There are other commercial lots in the area; however, park there at your own risk.

We hope to see you there!