Election Day is fast approaching in New York City and the City Council seats remind heated.  In District 19, Korean American Democrat, Kevin Kim is squaring off against Republican Dan Halloran in this heavily Democratic District.  District 19 borders Flushing, New York, a neighborhood that is predominately home to Asian immigrants.  Middle class families have recently started moving out of crowded Flushing apartment in favor of one and two family homes in the neighborhoods that encompass District 19.  This demographic shift was apparent in the surprise victory of Kevin Kim in the Democratic Primary.

District 19 is not without its problems however.  In addition to concerns over aging infrastructure and over development, there is an underlying vein of anti-Asian sentiment within the neighborhood.  Many families new to the neighborhood have complained about harassment and intimidation from older residents in the neighborhood.  In 2006, a group of Asian youths were brutally assaulted by angry residents.

A few weeks ago, volunteers for Korean-American candidate Kevin Kim were harassed while putting up campaign posters in District 19 Queens.  This week, Kim's Republican opponent, Dan Halloran sent out two xenophobic mailers to residents in the District.  These mailers super-impose Kevin Kim on heavily developed (and Asian) downtown Flushing with charges that he would turn the District into such.  Featured prominently on the mailer are several multilingual signs on a congested corner.  A large sized version of the mailer is in this picture.

On the other side, Halloran is pictured playing bocce ball in a leafy residential park, with statements like “I was born here. I grew up here.”

Bocce ball, of course is the quintessential sport of the old residents of the District.  Quite clearly Halloran is trying to play racial politics by appealing to a base worried about an influx of "foreigners".  Of course, given Kevin Kim's huge coalition and list of endorsements, racial politics is all Halloran has left.

Kim's website includes a list of statements put out by elected officials condemning the mailer.  

Michael Tkach, President of the Michel Regular Democratic Club of College Point, said:

“Recently a mailing came to my house I found to be disturbing. Republican Dan Halloran’s campaign had put a picture of Democrat Kevin Kim’s face over a picture of Downtown Flushing. Kevin has never been involved with ANY of the build-up of Downtown Flushing. And to make it LOOK LIKE just because Kevin is Asian this is what might happen, is a new low for Dan Halloran.”

Queens elected officials that rallied to support Kevin Kim's campaign included Borough President Helen Marshasll, Comptroller candidate John Liu and State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky. At least 15 other elected officials also released statements condemning the campaign tactic and echoing their support for Kim.

Kevin Kim grew up in Queens, attended local schools and worked as director for community affairs under Congressman Gary Ackerman.  The notion that he is somehow foreign or represents only Asians is ludicrous and downright wrong.  Implying to residents that thier neighborhood will become another Chinatown?  Downright racist.