Flushing - New York's other (and way way larger) Chinatown has seen a huge spike in Asian-American candidates running to represent it in public office. With current city councilman John Liu running for the City Comptroller position, a there is now a ferocious primary fight to replace him. Although the campaigning has at times turned ugly, it seems to have calmed down now with a better focus on issues rather than attacks. The outcome is not yet apparent and no candidate will win the primary along ethnic lines. The winner will have to appeal to the large Chinese, Korean, South Asian and Jewish communities as well as offer concrete solutions to improve issues facing the community. Here are the candidates as of today:
**All fundraising figures are available on the New York City Campaign Finance Board**
Democrat
Yen Chou - her candidacy focuses mostly on education as she was an educator and served on school boards. Also served as a liaison to API community under another city councilman.
Pro:
- Campaign promises include greater funding and accessibility to English and Second Language Programs, reduction of class sizes
- Promises to tackle traffic and pollution
- Well versed and experienced in education issues
Con:
- Unclear and limited platform; I cannot find anything more detailed than a few bullet points on her website, certain issues such as health insurance are beyond the reach of the City Council
- Does not indicate how education reforms will be carried out since mayoral controls over the schools has been renewed
- Allegedly leaked campaign memo has critics accusing her of ethnic campaigning and racism
- Has not garnered endorsements from teachers unions, education groups
The verdict: In a race such as this, a lengthy, solid platform is necessary in which you must be able to not only convince the voters that you can bring about what you promise. Otherwise, its just saying empty phrases like "business incentives" and "health insurance". Will need a major breakout to get support from places other than the Chinese-American community.
S.J. Jung
A small business owner in Flushing who is tied strongly to other Korean businesses in the area. Former director of YKASEC
Pro
- Platform built mostly around compromise between factions within Flushing
- Experience in community organization
- Most funds among candidates
- Has picked up impressive endorsements from ACORN, several labor groups and the Working Families Party (significant third party in NYC)
Con
- Hard to maintain a middle ground in battle between development and anti development groups
- Persistent allegations that actual residence is in New Jersey
The verdict: Even if SJ Jung does not win the Democratic Primary, he may choose to run on the Working Families ticket during the November elections. The impressive endorsements and large war chest should keep him in the race until the end. Residency rumors are persisting in that he registered to vote in Flushing earlier this year.
James Wu
One of the current district leaders in District 20, Flushing. Also served in Marines and is a member of his civic association
Pro
- Has made digital textbooks major campaign issue. Claims that city can negotiate a lower price with manufacturer and give every student digital textbooks rather than traditional paper ones. Will reduce strain on students and help environment
- Extensive knowledge of community due to his work as a civic and district leader
- Strong record of reinforcing voting rights, opening new polling sites
Con
- Has run a very quiet, low key campaign (signs were posted only this week)
- Needs to assert himself, lack of presence allows opponent Yen Chou to convince the Chinese-American community that she is the only Chinese candidate running
- The centerpiece of the campaign, digital textbooks may become a logistical nightmare for the schools and bureaucracy
The verdict: He needs to make some noise and be heard or will be overshadowed be other candidates. His knowledge of the community is among the best among the candidates and has a long record of civic leadership in regards to parks, voting stations and youth sports.
Isaac Sasson
A former cancer researcher and lottery winner
Pro:
- Has won the lottery so will likely not accept donations from third parties
Con
- Has engaged in ethnic campaigning in the past
- Allies include anti-Asian former city councilwoman Julia Harrison, other district leader Martha Flores Vasquez
- Represents the older residents of Flushing, most of which resent the new immigrants
- Strongly anti-development platform leaves no room for new families
- Engaged in vicious lawsuit to knock another candidate off ballot
- Known for refusing to compromise, often out of touch with needs of community
- wanted Flushing hospital closed, defeated in vote 39 - 1
The verdict: In spite of the fact that he immigrated to America,
Sasson clearly sides with the anti-Asian faction with Flushing. Regardless of the ethnic support he may receive, he is clearly banking his roots in the Jewish community and xenophobia to win the office. I've tried to be fair to all candidates but this individual and his views are reprehensible and it is undeniable that he is trying to play among ethnic lines.
Constantine Kavadas
Recent college graduate and youngest candidate in the race
Pro
- Recent Political Science degree give him great understanding of the city's political system
- Platform more extensive and organized that most opponents
- Lots of practical experience
- Extensive experience in affordable housing due to construction work, coordination with dept of buildings
- Junior port master of Chios harbor in Chios, Greece
Con
- May be knocked off ballot due to allegedly fraudulent signatures
- Currently defending candidacy in court after Sasson files lawsuit against him.
- Lost temper at candidates forum and accused Sasson of attempting to monopolize the White vote for himself
- Political experience may be an issue
The verdict:
Kavadas's campaign may or may not survive the week. Although he has the least experience in city politics, his recent political science degree indicates that he might already have a basic understanding. Fundraising is currently under severe drain due to legal defense. Should his campaign survive the legal issue he may be in a very weak position to continue. Likely has promising future in city politics nonetheless.
John Choe
Chief of Staff to current city councilman John Liu, civic leader
Pro
- Worked eight years under current city councilman, extensive knowledge of city hall and issues
- Endorsement of many labor groups, Queens Democrats, 1199 SEIU, Teamsters, League of Humane Voters and current councilman John Liu
- Has worked on legislation at City Hall
- Broad ethnic coalition
- Endorsements from Latino, African American and LGBT groups
- Has coordinated with 109th Precinct on community issues
- Police-community relations not frequently addressed by candidates
Con
- Late entry into race has put him at fundraising disadvantage
The verdict: In spite of many citywide endorsements and the all important Democratic endorsement
Choe has not been able to separate himself from the other candidates. He has chosen to files for matching funds as late as possible in order to maximize the amount he would receive. It remains to be seen if he can overtake his better funded opponents (Y Chou, Jung and
Sasson).
Independent
Evergreen Chou (Green Party)
Health care worker and leader of the Flushing Green Party
Pro
- Targeted recruitment for police department extremely important
- Eco Friendly
- Scoutmaster of Troop 888
Con
- Initiatives such as emphasizing Chinese medicine to fight swine flu and more cats to get rid of rats in Flushing are impractical and even a little dangerous
- Not much is known about his candidacy
- Was only allowed a minute to speak at recent candidates forum
- 3k raised is dwarfed by all candidates
The verdict: Although targeted recruiting of officers that represent (and speak the same language as) members of the community is exceptionally important, most of his other campaign promises seem impractical, especially using cats in traffic heavy and bustling downtown Flushing. Some ideals of the Greens will mesh well in helping to fix the severe pollution in Flushing, but as a third party candidate, his chances of winning are very slim.
Republican
Peter Koo
Small business owner and fixture in Flushing community
Pro
- Very well known in community
- Built chain of Starside Pharmacy from scratch, self made
- Has worked with Business Improvement District across party lines to help attract tourism, promote events and cleanups
- Tough on public safety and crime
- Has called for direct election of State Judges
Con
- Republican in an overwhelmingly Democratic District
- Anti-development platform may be at odds with some residents
- Residents and developers: affordable housing
- Koo: quality of life and infrastructure issues
The verdict: Peter Koo is probably one of the nicest people you will ever meet, but his political party puts him at a distinct disadvantage. In his previous campaign against the incumbent Democratic State Senator, he was crushed by a wide margin even with his community ties and popularity. However, if the Democratic party cannot get its house in order by November, Koo may just pull off an upset. That being said, Koo is a major figure in the Business Improvement District where he worked with Democrats, business owners and community leaders to pull off some major events and benefited the community at large.
according to NYC campaign finance board, Yen Chou has the most money, not SJ Jung.
Also, among Asian candidates, John Choe seems to have the most diverse donor base, in terms of names...
I guess my data might be a bit dated, thanks for clearing that up
Actually Jung leads with cash on hand.
Do the math using these numbers from the city.
http://www.nyccfb.info/VSApps/WebForm_Finance_Summary.aspx?as_election_cycle=2009&sm=press_&sm=public_h1
In addition to picking up endorsements from "ACORN, several labor groups and the Working Families Party," Jung has been endorsed by AFSCME District Council 37 (DC 37) and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 32BJ -- 2 of the largest unions in the State, as well as Communications Workers of America (CWA) District 1, Educational Justice PAC (EJ PAC), Korean Americans for Political Advancement (KAPA), NY Hotel & Motel Trades Council (HTC), NY League of Conservation Voters, Professional Staff Congress CUNY (PSC CUNY), Tenants PAC, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, United Auto Workers Region 9A, The United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500 and Workers United.
As for "persistent allegations that Jung's actual residence is in New Jersey" -- that's all they are, allegations and rumor-mongering. Jung has never disputed that he used to live in NJ, but now lives in Flushing -- and his residency records reflect that. Other candidates try to paint it like he just moved to Flushing for the very first time -- and omit or refuse to acknowledge the important fact that Jung also previously lived for many years in Flushing and knows the district inside-out (hence, all of the endorsements!). Also, he did not found YKASEC, a Flushing-based non-profit that serves thousands of lower income and working families and immigrants. He is a former Executive Director, and has been Board President of the organization for many years.
Here are the video clips of the other candidates from District 20, James Wu, SJ Jung & Isaac Sasson. Yen Chou, fro some reason, didn't submit one. James Wu and SJ jung come off the best, without a doubt.
Today's NY Times article nails on the head how folks feel about the Queens Democratic Party machine: "
"Within weeks, Mr. Whitehead was wondering if he should dare to spend this precious capital — the momentum of a unique moment in history — on a new, perhaps more challenging mission. He was contemplating a frontal assault on the powerful local Democratic Party establishment. Critics and even some of its leaders call it the machine….Mr. Whitehead wanted new candidates to challenge the club-endorsed officials, elected year after year by the handful of party faithful who bother to vote and who populate the civic groups he had worked with over the years...In effect, Mr. Simon would be taking on the whole Queens Democratic organization. To party veterans, it is a well-oiled mechanism to turn out voters; detractors contend that the officials it helps elect reward loyalty with jobs and financing for favorite organizations, stifling debate.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/04/nyregion/04race.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&hpw
Post new comment