The NY Times has no idea what's going on in Queens.  John Choe has far more local support.  For instance, Democratic District Leader Martha Flores-Vazquez just endorsed him, as have many other local Queens politicians.

I liked John Choe but am having second thoughts because he's been going so negative lately.  But this Martha Flores-Vazquez endorsement is the last straw.  SHE THINKS ASIAN CANDIDATES ARE NOT QUALIFIED TO HOLD PUBLIC OFFICE!!!  Just a few months ago, she refused to endorse John Choe or any other Asian candidate saying, “In this district we go one of two ways: we want an Asian candidate or a qualified candidate. I think this is the year for a qualified candidate,” said Florez-Vasquez.

asianhater? is correct. John Choe should not have accepted that endorsement from Flores-Vasquez.  I am disappointed as well.

This discussion would be funny if it wasn't so sad and pathetic.

SJ called Martha every day, begging for her endorsement, fully participated in her screening process, filled out her questionnaire, and even went so far as to present Martha with a $300 check the day before her decision -- hoping it would sway her.

It wouldn't surprise me if SJ tried to pay off the Times editorial board as well.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't such payments against campaign finance board rules?

John Choe is the one who got endorsed by Flores-Vasquez, a candidate who has said (or implied) that Asian candidates are not qualified.  That's a fact.  I have no idea if what T. Park is saying is true, and frankly, that's not my issue right now.  John got the endorsement.  Maybe he didn't know her background when going after it -- but he surely knows about it now.  So the million dollar question now is -- what's he gonna do about it?

@asianhater

Well such payments are exceptionally important at this moment while this mess with the "Data and Field Services" is sorted out.  It defintiely seems like there was some bending of the law there.  Now if Jung actually tried to buy an endorsement (300 dollar check) then thats breaking the law.  We cannot have politicians peddling influence (or buying it for that matter)

Look at the mess in New Jersey...We cannot leave even a shred of corruption in who we elect to office.

Also, you can't exactly say that Liu/Choe have a political machine.  Flushing's political races are always wide open (evidenced by Grace Meng soundly beating Ellen Young last year)

@T.Park

Do you have any evidence to back up the claims you are making?

James Wu is the best and the smartest candidate in District 20.  The rest of the candidates are trash.

SJ Jung's attempted bribe was covered in the ethnic media.

Call SJ Jung and his campaign (718.353.0304) to confirm his attendance at the opening reception for Martha's new office in Bayside on the evening of Thursday, September 3rd.  Ask if SJ gave Martha a check that day and how much it was.

In the likely event that SJ refuses to answer your questions, call Martha Flores-Vazquez directly (718.909.4634) and she will confirm all these details herself.  Martha could probably even provide a copy of SJ Jung's check.

You can also ask Martha about her "anti-Asian" remarks and she can explain how they were taken completely out of context and distorted by the Queens Tribune reporter.  It's really embarrasing how SJ's campaign is spinning her endorsement.

If local politics means so much to you, go run for office yourself. I've been in Flushing for 35 years and if you think any of this means a hill of beans, you've got another thing coming down the pipe and it's not a colonoscopy although it may feel like one. I could care less what the NY Times endorses, I've been in a room with almost every local politician you could possibly meet at some fundraiser or another or some local appearance and they are all the same. They want to be your best friend for 5 minutes and after that, they'll sooner walk over you than extend a hand.

As for John Choe, and the concept that he 'shouldn't have accepted' Ms. Vazquez' endorsement? Find me more than 2 people who work as hard as Ms. Vazquez does on the smallest non-paid political level and i'll bake you a pie. Integrity still means something to some of us, but it appears that we still need to put agendas on everything these days. The shame and disappointment you speak of is something you will need to learn to live with.

While it's convenient to toss around anti-asian bias for everyone not asian in flushing, I find it remarkable that almost all of the campaign posters advertising S.J. Jung in the greater flushing area are very much not in english beyond his name. Who exactly is he catering to? Ask Yourself.

As for Mr. Jung’s contribution to Ms. Vazquez, it is widely known that she runs a Not For Profit Corporation and that is where his contribution went to, as the office in Bayside is not a political headquarters but another outlet for her to carry on the fight against Domestic Violence to an extended community. He can write it off as a charitable donation. It’s hardly illegal, and if he was hoping that she could be bought for the sum of $300 then I find it rather sad on his part.

I suppose the only thing left to do if call Ms. Vasquez herself and find out the purpose of the check.  I'll do that tomorrow. 

Don't forget that former Assemblyman Semeniaro also ran a "consulting company" on the side to solicit bribes.  It's entirely conviceable for a candidate to try to buy favor by donating to a nonprofit.  It would appear from Mr. Park's comment however that Ms. Vasquez saw through this.

This is an issue only because the 10k he paid to Field and Data Services looks suspect.

As for Jung's signs, as i far as i see, he has posted English, Korean and Spanish signs.

The reason some of us are angry at the endorsement is because the Queens Tribune reported Ms Vasquez as (supposedly) saying that she would prefer "a qualfied candidate" rather than an "Asian candidate". 

Let me end my statement by noting that I have met Ms. Vasquez and chatted with her for a bit.  She strikes me as very hard working and devoted to her position as district leader.  That being said, I was very surprised to hear that she said that and sincerly hope that she was misquoted.  If that is the case, the I will retract my previous statement.

Martha Flores-Vazquez an Asian hater?! That is absolutely ridiculous! I am personally vouching for her as her son's fiance. I am a very proud Korean-American who has been with Martha Flores-Vazquez's son for 6 very happy years; and she has done nothing but welcome me with open arms.  Never in my life have I met anyone as passionate and hard working to represent the city of Flushing. I advise people to know the facts before slamming someone as an "Asian hater". Ridiculous!!!

The Queens Tribune quoting her out of context or inaccurately representing her statements is why folks (including myself) responded negatively.  Her statements as reported do lead one to believe that she is anti-Asian, and given the history of that district, its former Councilwoman (Julia Harrison) and the very negative sentiments expressed by some of its long time residents, not necessarily (and unfortunately) so beyond the pale for that district.  Queens Tribune should issue a retraction or correction if that wasn't the case (although I guess that might be unrealistic since shoddy reporting seems to be the hallmark of a lot of local papers). 

The Queens Tribune misquoting her or mis-reporting her statements is why folks (including myself) were ticked.  Her statements (as reported) do make her sound anti-Asian, and given the history of that district, its former Councilwoman (Julia Harrison) and how racist some of its residents still are towards Asians, not necessarily (and unfortunately) so beyond the pale for that district.  Queens Tribune should issue a retraction or correction if that wasn't the case -- although I guess that might be unrealistic since shoddy reporting seems to be the hallmark of a lot of the more local papers. 

The Queens Tribune misquoting her or mis-reporting her statements is why folks (including myself) were ticked.  Her statements (as reported) do make her sound anti-Asian, and given the history of that district, its former Councilwoman (Julia Harrison) and how racist some of its residents still are towards Asians, not necessarily (and unfortunately) so beyond the pale for that district.  Queens Tribune should issue a retraction or correction if that wasn't the case -- although I guess that might be unrealistic since shoddy reporting seems to be the hallmark of a lot of the more local papers. 

Also keep in mind that Ms. Vasquez joined Julia Harrison in opposing voting for either John Choe or James Wu during the the Democratic endrosement meeting.  Not until James Wu gave his vote to John Choe was he able to receive the endorsement

I called Ms. Vasquez's office today and left a message.  I'm interested to see what she meant by that statement at any rate.

Once again, I'm surpised at that statement so lets see what she really said hm?

oh well look everyone we have Ms. Florez-Vazquez's soon to be daughter in-law on the forum! ::crickets::: Martha Flores-Vazquez is KNOWN to dislike asians because she's never won a vote and has been outcasted by them when running against liu, only now is she steadily trying to regain exposure amongst the asian population in flushing after Liu's departure for a higher seat, this is politics sweetie, not dinner time at your boyfriends house, she's also known to have a dirty reputation with the circulation of funds from her "grass roots" campaigns that she ran when pathetically running for city council, shes corrupt and isnt even considered a real politician, shes a CON! Shes never held a politicial office!! shes like a damn cockroach...crawls out of the cracks, and never dies!