2018 November General Election Endorsement Process!

In our country, we see leaders practicing divisive, fear-based, and hateful politics -- with their followers gladly enabling them. As a progressive Asian and Pacific Islander community our response must be even greater. Our response must be political and visible at the ballot box, it must reflect our shared values, and it must be bold and unapologetic.

Over the last month, we’ve seen how other states are responding at the ballot box: Paulette Jordan, Democratic candidate for Idaho governor, could become the first ever Native American governor in U.S. history. Jared Polis could serve as the nation’s first openly gay male governor after winning his party’s nomination in Colorado. Ben Jealous, former NAACP President, may become the first African-American governor in Maryland’s 220 year history. Oklahoma voters legalized medical marijuana. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 28, won her primary election in New York City, and is likely to become the youngest woman to ever serve in Congress. She ran as a “democratic socialist” advocating for Medicare for All, tuition-free public college, and ending the privatization of prisons. Oregon can also respond this November.

More than a year ago, we announced the formation of our 501(c)4 organization. In May, 6 out of the 7 candidates that APANO endorsed won, and some even made history. For November, APANO will be making additional candidate endorsements and focusing our efforts in the following 6 “Priority Races” at the state level for the November 6, 2018 General Elections:

• Oregon Governor (Statewide)
• Oregon Senate District 19 (Lake Oswego/Tualatin/West Linn)
• Oregon House District 22 (Woodburn/N Salem)
• Oregon House District 37 (Tualatin/West Linn)
• Oregon House District 46 (SE Portland)
• Oregon House District 51 (Clackamas/Happy Valley)

Continuing our critical electoral and candidate endorsement work is the next step for building AAPI political power in Oregon. APANO, considering organizational capacity and impact, is guided by the following criteria in determining which races to engage:

• Elected Position purview and potential ability to impact or influence AAPI lives
• APANO Members in district, concentration of Asian and Pacific Islanders, and opportunity to grow base
• APANO issue campaign or concerns (including national) at stake in district
• Asian and Pacific Islander and People of Color candidates in district
• APANO can make a difference in the race, it is a close, competitive race, opportunity for AAPIs to work on campaigns
• Strengthens APANO’s long-term capacity and growth

If you are a candidate who is running for an elected office for which APANO is making endorsements, please read our APANO Candidate Packet and fill out our APANO Endorsement Interview Request Form to begin the process!

Our AAPI votes matter. Our values-led work matters. Come support the fight for November.

If you want to learn more or get involved with our candidate endorsement process or our greater c4 political program, please do not hesitate to contact Robin Ye, Lead Political Organizer at robin@apano.org









This programming message is brought to you by APANO, a 501c4 nonprofit organization.