AUSTIN, TX – The Network of Asian American Organizations (NAAO), in partnership with Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs (APAPA), the Indian American Coalition of Texas (IACT), Civic Leadership of America, Austin Chinese American Network, Korean American Association of Greater Austin, Cambodian Foundation, Light and Salt Services, REAL International, Austin South Asian and Texas Capitol News, hosted a candidate forum on Sunday, August 25, 2018 that was attended by members of the Asian American community. Also in attendance were members of the Asian American Political Action Committee (AA PAC). Candidates for various positions at the county level were interviewed at the event. The sponsors of this event deeply appreciate that so many citizens who have declared their candidacy with the goal of working for the betterment of the city attended this event and suggested various solutions as part of the discussions.
Following the forum, AA PAC members met to evaluate the comments from the different candidates at the forum and decided on the following endorsements:
City of Austin (CoA) Mayor: Mayor Steve Adler
The AA PAC endorses Mayor Steve Adler, the current incumbent, for another 4-year term. Mr. Adler has been a very successful mayor of the city of Austin caring for the needs of all citizens and showing particular empathy to those segments of society who have felt threatened by the current social and political climate. He has an expansive vision for the city and has balanced the need for a strong economy with the need to protect the environment. He successfully led the effort in defining the 2016 Mobility Bond that the voters approved and which is expected to markedly reduce Austin’s transportation problems. Mayor Adler has also been very supportive of causes of importance to the Asian American community. Through his support for and leadership in promoting different social and political causes, he has firmly planted Austin as a leading city in the country. For this and many other reasons, the AA PAC endorses Mayor Steve Adler for a second term of 4 years.
CoA District 1: Mr. Vincent Harding
While all the candidates for this seat are highly qualified, the AA PAC endorses Mr. Vincent Harding for this position. Mr. Harding brings additional skills and experience from his 2 previous positions, as chair of the Travis County Democratic Party and as a member of the CoA Board of
Adjustments. The former provides him with a wider view of the political landscape of the county and the latter a close-up view of the inner workings of Austin City Hall. His focus on bringing greater diversity in income levels and more affordable housing will be essential in the City Council as it tackles these two well-established issues in the city. Mr. Harding also recognizes the need for all communities to work together and he has expressed his support for issues of importance to the Asian American community.
CoA District 3: Council Member Pio Renteria
Council Member Pio Renteria has been a consistent voice for the needs of the entire city even as he has focused on his own district. He has taken a balanced view towards economic growth and environmental protection. He has been a consistent supporter of ethnic groups and their particular issues. The Asian American community appreciates the support he has shown to the community. For this and other reasons, the AA PAC endorses Council Member Pio Renteria for a second term in the Austin City Council.
CoA District 5: Council Member Ann Kitchen
The AA PAC endorses Council Member Ann Kitchen for a second term in the Austin City Council. Ms. Kitchen has shown a willingness to tackle some of the thorniest issues confronting the city and then working with her peers to define innovative solutions. She is focused on affordable housing and healthcare, and transportation all of which continue to be challenging issues that are derivatives of Austin’s relentless growth.
CoA District 8: Mr. Richard DePalma
The AA PAC endorses Mr. Richard DePalma who brings many years of experience and knowledge in issues relating to transportation, environment, energy conservation and water resource management, all of which are keys issues facing the city. Mr. DePalma is also well connected with the Asian American community and is empathetic to and supportive of the issues that are important to this segment of the Austin electorate.
CoA District 9: Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo
Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo brings her vast experience to bear on her office, both as Mayor Pro Tem and council member from District 9. She has championed affordable housing, homelessness, health and safety for the entire city while simultaneously caring for her own district. She has been a consistent friend to the Asian American community and, as a most recent example, it was at her suggestion that the next bond proposition increased the allocation of funds for AARC Phase 2 by $2M. The AA PAC is happy to endorse Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo for another term in the Austin City Council.
Travis County Judge: Judge Sarah Eckhardt
The AA PAC endorses Judge Sarah Eckhardt for a second term as Travis County Judge. Judge Eckhardt has dedicated her life in public service focusing on ways to enhance opportunities, and thus ensure greater equity, for families in Travis County. Transportation and clean air are only two of her other priorities. In addition, she has reached out to all ethnic groups. She has in particular
been sensitive to the needs of the Asian American community as well as other ethnic minorities. There are many challenges facing the county in the next 4 years and it deserves a steady hand in guiding it. Judge Eckhardt is just the right person for the job.
Travis County District 2: Commissioner Brigid Shea
The AA PAC endorses Commissioner Brigid Shea for reelection as Travis County District 2 Commissioner. Ms. Shea is seeking her second term at this position on the strength of her continuing contributions in seeking long-term solutions in the areas of property tax reform, curbing wasteful spending, and creating communities that thrive.
Travis County District 4: Commissioner Margaret Gomez
Commissioner Margaret Gomez, the long-time commissioner for District 4, is passionate about affordable housing, transportation across the multiple counties around Austin, issues concerning the environment, getting working families help with tax relief, and ensuring the AAA bond rating for Travis County. In light of her continuing commitment to the community she serves, the AA PAC endorses Commissioner Margaret Gomez for reelection as Travis County District 4 Commissioner.
Travis County District Clerk: District Clerk Velva Price
District Clerk Velva Price has been a trailblazer and leader in the Austin legal community since her graduation from UT Law in 1983. Ms. Price was the first African American woman to be elected as President of the Austin Bar Association. Her leadership roles have included stints as President of the Austin Black Lawyers Association and the Travis County Women Lawyers Association. Her wide ranging leadership includes chairing the City of Austin Minority Owned and Women Owned Business Enterprise and the Small Business Enterprise Procurement Program Advisory Committee. She has also been deeply involved with community issues in Austin, from Volunteer Legal Services, Interfaith Action of Central Texas, City of Austin’s Ethics Review Commission and many more. Ms. Price has had a very positive impact on the District Clerk’s office since her election and we endorse her to continue her good work and to continue to provide diverse leadership at the Travis County Courthouse. The AA PAC endorses Ms. Velva Price for reelection as Travis County District Clerk.
AISD Board Place 9: Ms. Arati Singh
The AA PAC endorses Ms. Arati Singh for the AISD Board Place 9. Ms. Singh brings 2 decades of experience as an educational consultant in Texas and in Washington DC. She has campaigned for good governance and greater transparency in the board’s decision-making process and, for providing a quality education independent of the zip code of the students. She is particularly empathetic to the needs of minority groups in Austin.
ACC Board Place 7: Mr. Mitch Fuller
Mr. Mitch Fuller comes with a very well-rounded resume. He is a past Cedar Park council member and Mayor Pro-Tem. He is an Iraq War veteran. He has served on many local boards such as Lower Colorado River Authority Basin, Leander School District's Bond Oversight Committee and
KLRU Community Advisory Board. Mr. Fuller favors ACC's "Guided Pathways" - a program for greater student success and in setting metrics for measuring this success. For all the above reasons, the AA PAC endorses Mr. Mitch Fuller for ACC Board Place 7.
ACC Board Place 7: Mr. Douglas Gibbins
The AA PAC endorses Mr. Douglas Gibbins for ACC Board Place 8, a candidate who is already very familiar with ACC since he serves as chairman of ACC’s Highland Campus Advisory Committee. He has served on the Texas Alpha Education Foundation of Phi Kappa Psi. He strongly advocates for increasing the goal to educate people with degree certificates. Mr. Gibbins wants to keep college affordable. He advocates for free education for the underprivileged and overall reduction in fees ensuring that education is not the domain of the privileged.
State House District 46: Ms. Sheryl Cole
Ms. Sheryl Cole brings her can-do attitude and strong advocacy skills into this campaign for election to State Representative for House District 46. She has proven her mettle as a council member and mayor pro tem in the Austin City Council where she was a voice for equality, a champion for the hard-to-employ and a true believer that economic opportunity is the key to ensuring diversity and inclusivity. For this and many other reasons, the AA PAC endorses Ms. Sheryl Cole for State House District 46.
State House District 47: Ms. Vikki Goodwin
This decision was one of the most difficult ones, given the past relationship that Mr. Paul Workman has had with the Asian American community. But based on discussions that AA PAC members had subsequent to the candidate forum, the AA PAC now endorses Ms. Vikki Goodwin for State House District 47. Ms. Goodwin is a strong proponent of quality public education, responsible gun legislation, affordable healthcare and clean environment, besides many other issues such as DACA, minority affairs and immigration affecting Austin and its surrounding counties. All of these issues resonate with the Asian American community.
State House District 48: State Representative Donna Howard
State Rep. Donna Howard has been a long-time advocate for education, starting from funding for public schools to higher education at colleges and universities in Texas. Healthcare is another of Ms. Howard’s pivotal issues. Both of these topics very much resonate with the Asian American citizens of Austin and surrounding counties which is why the AA PAC endorses Ms. Donna Howard for reelection as a State Representative.
State House District 49: State Representative Gina Hinojosa
The AA PAC endorses State Rep. Gina Hinojosa for reelection as the state representative for District 49. In the two years in her position, Ms. Hinojosa has come out firmly in support for a stronger education system. She is an ardent supporter of clean environment and she has voted against the removal of “Sanctuary Cities.” Ms. Hinojosa took a strong position against gun violence and was a catalyst in the “March for Our Lives” gathering at the state capitol in March,
2018. She is also very sensitive to the needs of ethnic minorities and works proactively to support them.
State House District 50: State Representative Celia Israel
The AA PAC endorses State Rep. Celia Israel for reelection to the State House. Rep. Israel has established herself as the one of the leading voices in the Texas State House and despite being from the minority party, she has found ways to join with her colleagues across the aisle to make progress on her top issues,… education, coverage for mental healthcare and child protective services among others that she considers as key to our future. She has been close to all ethnic groups, in particular, the Asian American community from before she first ran for elected office.
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