It was a busy night last night. Unfortunately, even though we had an historic class of top-notch progressive Asian Americans running for Congress, we only managed to get two of them across the finish line: Hansen Clarke in MI-13 and Colleen Hanabusa in HI-01. Coming up short were such great candidates as Ami Bera, Manan Trivedi, Raj Goyle, Ravi Sangisetty and Surya Yalamanchili. Let's hope they don't give up and give it another shot in a more favorable year.

We'll try to have a little more in-depth analysis throughout the day, including updates on some of the other local races, but here is a press release from Congressman Mike Honda who won re-election last night.

CAPAC Chair Mike Honda congratulates
Clarke & Hanabusa, two new Asian American and Pacific Islander Members of Congress

Honda also thanks Cao and Djou for service as CAPAC executive board members

Washington, DC – On behalf of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Chairman Michael Honda (CA-15) offers his deepest congratulations to Hansen Clarke (MI-13) and Colleen Hanabusa (HI-01) on their victories, and thanks Reps. Anh Joseph Cao (LA-02) and Charles Djou (HI-01) for their service as Executive Board Members of CAPAC.

“I offer my warmhearted congratulations to both Hansen Clarke and Colleen Hanabusa for their congressional victories. It is becoming a common occurrence for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to make congressional history with each cycle.

“This year, with his victory, Hansen Clarke will be sworn in as the first Bangladeshi American to serve in the US Congress. Trained as both a fine artist and a lawyer, he has two decades of experience serving the state of Michigan as a legislator.

“Colleen Hanabusa is a national trailblazer in her own right, as she is the first woman to preside over either chamber of the Hawai‘i State Legislature, and the first Asian-American or Pacific Islander woman in the nation to preside over a state legislative body.

“I am confident in the leadership, integrity, experience, and creativity of both Clarke and Hanabusa, and look forward to working with these leaders to further strengthen the voices of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the halls of Congress.

“I also want to thank Reps. Joseph Anh Cao and Charles Djou for their service as executive board members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

“It has been a particular honor to serve in Congress alongside Rep. Cao, the first Vietnamese American Member of Congress.  His own story has inspired new generations of Vietnamese American community leaders to make their voices heard in government, for some by seeking elected office.  I am proud of all the work that we have done together as a caucus to ensure that the voices of Asian Americans in the Gulf Coast are heard, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and most recently, the Gulf Coast oil spill.

“CAPAC has much to look forward to in the 112th Congress.  We will continue to support Asian American and Pacific Islander businesses as they continue to boost our economy.  We will continue to work to bring equity to our education system, fight against racial profiling, and pass comprehensive immigration reform.

“CAPAC, invigorated by the election of its two incoming Members, will continue to work hard to represent the voices of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Congress as our nation tackles its top priorities.”