[Partner] Filipino Americans Garnered Historical Victories During the Recently Held Midterm Elections
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Washington, DC - The recently held November 2022 midterm elections were an overall success for the Filipino American community. A historic number of Filipino Americans were elected from local to state-level positions.
NaFFAA’s current president and national chair, Brendan Flores, commented, “Our biggest achievement for this year’s November elections is seeing more Filipinos stepping up to run for public office. Representation matters! As our fellow Filipino Americans and those from other minority communities see someone who looks like them, speaks for them, and makes decisions on their behalf, they will also feel inspired to speak up, participate, and listen. We are excited to see progress for our community. Filipino Americans offer a unique type of leadership that is founded upon their deep love for their families and communities.”
Highest-Ranking Filipino American Elected Official
Rep. Bobby Scott remained the highest-ranking Filipino American elected official after winning the U.S. House election in Virginia's 3rd Congressional District. He has served this district since 1993.
Historical State Election Victories for the Fil Am Community
In California, Rob Bonta is re-elected as the Attorney General for the US State that is home to more than 500,000 Filipinos.
Steven Raga is elected the first Filipino American in the New York State Legislature. Maria Cervania became the first Filipina American member of the North Carolina Legislature after winning at the North Carolina House of Representatives to represent District 41. Joining them on the east coast are re-elects Kris Valderrama, a Maryland House of Delegates member, and Marvin Lim, a state representative in District 98 in Georgia. Justin Jones also won as a state representative for District 52 in Tennessee, and Luz Bay won at the New Hampshire House of Representatives for Strafford County District 21.
Representing Filipino American state election winners on the west coast are Genevieve Mina, who will assume office in the Alaska House of Representatives, representing District 19, and Erica Mosca, elected as a state assembly member for District 14 in Nevada. In Hawaii, Rosebella Martinez is elected as a member of the State House of Representatives for District 40 in Ewa, Hawaii. Joining Filipino American history makers in Hawaii are Brandon Elefante and Henry Aquino, two newly elected senators in the Hawaii State Senate.
Filipino American Trailblazers in Local Elections
A record number of Filipino Americans won local government positions during the recently held November elections. Assuming the office of Mayors are Jed Leano of Claremont City, Rod Daus-Magbual of Daly City, and Melissa Ramoso of the City of Artesia. The three mayors are elected council members but will assume the role of mayors in 2023.
Filipino Americans are also well-represented in city council positions. Gabriel Quinto was reelected, the first LGBTQ council member in the history of the city of El Cerrito, CA. Other notable city council victories in California are Garry Garbadillo of Milpitas City, Ray Buenaventura of Daly City, Ollie Cantos and Letty Lopez-Viado of West Covina City, Tony Daysog of Alameda County, Joanne Del Rosario of the City of Colma, Diosdado Matulac of the City of Vallejo, Buenaflor Nicolas of City of South San Francisco, David Oro of American Canyon, Charles Palmares of the City of Vallejo, Cameron Sasai of the City of Pinole, Phil Bacerra of Santa Ana City, and Ditas Yamane of National City. In addition, Krystle Ang of Burbank City was elected treasurer, and Kenneth Mejia of Los Angeles was elected as the city’s first Filipino American city controller.
In Hawaii, newcomer Tyler Dos Santos and former member of the State House Val Okimoto are both elected to the Honolulu City Council.
Several Filipino Americans also won school board elections. Thelma Boac and Jaria Jaug won at Berryessa Union School District Board in San Jose, California. Judy Patacsil was elected as a Board Trustee for District 1 of Palomar College in San Diego County. Mike Guingona and Agnes Gonzales also won the election to assume roles at the San Mateo County Community College District Board and Rowland Unified School District, respectively. In addition, Robert Moreno won a seat on the Southwestern Community College District Board of Trustees at South San Diego County, California.
On the Judicial Level, Filipina American attorney Mari Parlade won as a District Family Court Judge in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Young Filipinos Are Stepping Up and Making History
Millennials and Generation Z Filipino Americans are stepping up to the challenge of leading the charge among our rising generation. History was made when 23-year-old Cameron Sasai became the youngest Filipino American council member in Pinole City, California. The 32-year-old activist and accountant Kenneth Mejia made headlines after becoming the first Filipino American and Asian American elected to citywide office in Los Angeles. In Tennessee, the 26-year-old activist Justin Jones was elected state representative of District 52, becoming the youngest lawmaker in their state capitol. In Hawaii, 36-years old Filipino American Brandon Elefante will become Hawaii’s youngest state senator in the coming term.
Former Mayor of the City of Cerritos and pioneer of the NaFFAA’s Run for Office Program, a program that aims to connect Filipino Americans who aspire to run for public office with other Filipino Americans who currently or previously held elected office positions, Mark Pulido commented, “I am excited to see an increasing number of Filipino Americans run for public office, especially among the younger generation. I look forward to even more Filipino Americans taking that big step to lead and empower our community and strengthen our democracy. Our Filipino American community has contributed so much to America over the past century and I strongly believe that we have so much more to give as we get more involved in the civic life of our neighborhoods, states and nation. I believe Filipino Americans care deeply about others beyond themselves and believe in the importance of working with people of all backgrounds to make the world a better place. I have great hope and faith that our community will continue to make a positive difference in these challenging times and in the years to come.”
Newly-elected Pinole City Council Member and NaFFAA’s Run for Office Alumni Cameron Sasai shared, “I appreciate the opportunity to have been part of the NaFFAA Run for Office Program before announcing my candidacy. The program brought in seasoned Fil-Am elected officials such as CA Attorney General Rob Bonta, Hercules Vice Mayor Alexander Walker-Griffin, and Mayor Mark Pulido, who shared their insights on how to run for office and navigate politics as a Filipino-American.” He added, “I am thrilled to share that, in a competitive race full of seven candidates, including two incumbents and three former mayors, we have earned the highest number of votes in the City of Pinole’s November 8, 2022 General Election. This is truly a historic election, as I will assume office as the first Filipino-American and youngest council member in the City of Pinole’s 100+ year history.”
Call to Action
A record number of Millennials, Generation Z, and women Filipino Americans in government is a sign that we are heading in the right direction. As the Filipino presence continues to grow across the United States with more than 4.2 million, we need to continue to work for a seat at a table to be part of discussions that affect the lives of our Filipino Americans. We hope this election will inspire the next generation of Filipino Americans to continue to rise up to become better Filipino Americans and leaders in our community.
*Our NaFFAA Staff is still working on getting the most updated list of Filipino American winners during the recently held US midterm elections. If we miss any other Filipino Americans who won during this year’s elections, please reach out to mark.eyo@naffaa.org
