VTMBH Article: Body
During the election for NY State's Assembly new district, 22 in Flushing, the Democratic Party candidate Barry Grodenchik, a Jewish-American, won the election with less than 50 percent of the vote. Grodenchick beat Independence Party candidate Jimmy Meng, Republican Party candidate Meilin Tan, Green Party candidate Evergreen Chou and Liberal Party candidate Ethel Chen.
District 22 is 53 percent Asian Americans, but all four of the Asian American candidates lost the election. This election was similar to other elections historically when Asian Americans ran public office, the candidates ran against each other and divided the votes, which led the non-Asian American candidates win. The final result showed that Grodenchik got 5,593 votes, 45 percent of the vote; Meng got 3,782 of the votes, a 31 percent of the vote; Ten got 2,447 of the votes 20 percent of the vote; Chen got 242 of the votes, 2 percent of the vote; and Chou got 158 votes, 1 percent of the vote.
Meng was defeated but felt proud. During the Democratic Partys primary, Meng lost to Grodenchik by 96 votes, and he lost the Democratic candidacy. Through the media, Meng gracefully congratulated Grodenchik [for winning the general election]. He also expressed support for anyone who would serve Flushing and improve the community. Meng emphasized that he had not lost the election by representing the Independence Party and winning more than 3,000 votes. He got the most votes of all Independence party candidates of the past 20 years. The most important thing for him during this campaign, he said, was that through the campaigning and advertising, he awakened peoples understanding of the importance of voting and assimilating to the mainstream American society. He also thanked his family and volunteers.
Tan lost but is not discouraged. She was surprised at the result, and emphasized that the Republican Party had a chance of winning, she fought a good battle, with all the volunteers doing their very best. Tan said she will continue serving the community as she has for the past 10 years.
Chen was sad about pitting Chinese against Chinese. Having worked for the Flushing community for many years and having much election experience, she had predicted that all four of Asian American candidates would lose just six hours after voting began. She saw the unfortunate situation of pitting Chinese against Chinese during election campaigns. She said, Meng used $400,000 campaign money to defeat me, but he did not win either. And Tan, although representing the Republican Party and equipping with campaign money, did not receive support from her party. In addition, the voting machines are confusing. Many Asian American voters are discouraged from voting for minority candidates. Voting rates among Asian Americans is not high, and the result can be seen already. Chen also criticized Meng and Tan for lacking vision for the policies and for only using their minority status in the American political society.
Chou, running for the environmental Green Party got only the support of about 20 party members. In any case, he could not win against the candidates from the two major parties. However, he has run for every Flushing election. Through his election campaigns, he promoted the Green Partys platform: the importance of protecting the environment and balancing community development with regards to different ethnic groups. Winning or losing was not important to him.
District 22 is 53 percent Asian Americans, but all four of the Asian American candidates lost the election. This election was similar to other elections historically when Asian Americans ran public office, the candidates ran against each other and divided the votes, which led the non-Asian American candidates win. The final result showed that Grodenchik got 5,593 votes, 45 percent of the vote; Meng got 3,782 of the votes, a 31 percent of the vote; Ten got 2,447 of the votes 20 percent of the vote; Chen got 242 of the votes, 2 percent of the vote; and Chou got 158 votes, 1 percent of the vote.
Meng was defeated but felt proud. During the Democratic Partys primary, Meng lost to Grodenchik by 96 votes, and he lost the Democratic candidacy. Through the media, Meng gracefully congratulated Grodenchik [for winning the general election]. He also expressed support for anyone who would serve Flushing and improve the community. Meng emphasized that he had not lost the election by representing the Independence Party and winning more than 3,000 votes. He got the most votes of all Independence party candidates of the past 20 years. The most important thing for him during this campaign, he said, was that through the campaigning and advertising, he awakened peoples understanding of the importance of voting and assimilating to the mainstream American society. He also thanked his family and volunteers.
Tan lost but is not discouraged. She was surprised at the result, and emphasized that the Republican Party had a chance of winning, she fought a good battle, with all the volunteers doing their very best. Tan said she will continue serving the community as she has for the past 10 years.
Chen was sad about pitting Chinese against Chinese. Having worked for the Flushing community for many years and having much election experience, she had predicted that all four of Asian American candidates would lose just six hours after voting began. She saw the unfortunate situation of pitting Chinese against Chinese during election campaigns. She said, Meng used $400,000 campaign money to defeat me, but he did not win either. And Tan, although representing the Republican Party and equipping with campaign money, did not receive support from her party. In addition, the voting machines are confusing. Many Asian American voters are discouraged from voting for minority candidates. Voting rates among Asian Americans is not high, and the result can be seen already. Chen also criticized Meng and Tan for lacking vision for the policies and for only using their minority status in the American political society.
Chou, running for the environmental Green Party got only the support of about 20 party members. In any case, he could not win against the candidates from the two major parties. However, he has run for every Flushing election. Through his election campaigns, he promoted the Green Partys platform: the importance of protecting the environment and balancing community development with regards to different ethnic groups. Winning or losing was not important to him.