APANO Endorsements 2021

We support Community Leaders. APANO, an Oregon statewide Asian and Pacific Islander advocacy organization, is proud to endorse Duncan Hwang for Metro Council Seat 6 and Lamar Wise for Senate District 15 for their upcoming appointment processes.

What is Metro? Metro is a regional government that encompasses more than 1.5 million people in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties. The Metro Council consists of a president, elected regionwide, and six councilors who are elected by district every four years in nonpartisan races.

The Metro Council has the power to improve:

• Land use and Development,
• Transportation Infrastructure,
• Natural areas, parks, and trails,
• Visitor venues
• Solid waste and recycling.

Duncan Hwang has been fighting for our communities for the past nine years as an APANO staff member. He has worked with Metro in the past, serving as a founding member of Metro’s Committee of Racial Equity to guide the implementation of their racial equity strategies. He was a key player in pressuring regional transportation agencies to fund safety improvements along 82nd Avenue following a series of pedestrian deaths. Hwang also coordinated the organization’s vaccination campaigns and rental assistance through the pandemic, and has served on several Metro equity, housing, and planning committees. APANO is excited to support Duncan Hwang in the appointment for Metro Council District 6 because of his track record of creating substantial change and community impact to our community.

What is happening in Senate District 15? Senate District 15, currently held by Senator Chuck Riley, has become vacant due to Riley’s retirement, which was announced on October 6th on the Senate floor. Since the seat has become vacant, several candidates have announced that they will be seeking appointment. Due to redistricting earlier this year, this community has shifted slightly further west. It maintains most of Hillsboro as well as the cities of Cornelius and Forest Grove, but loses North Plains. It adds unincorporated areas of south Cornelius extending all the way to the Yamhill County line. There is a high Asian, Latinx, and Pacific Islander population in Cornelius and Forest Grove that continues to grow in this district.

Lamar has been fighting for our communities since he was a college student working with the Oregon Student’s Association. He has spearheaded Reimagine Oregon efforts, co-founded Washington County Ignite (alongside co-founder Imani Dorsey), championed youth voices at OSA, been a powerful union leader at Oregon AFSCME and so much more. He has championed student issues through his work to pass the Student Success Act. He has also championed worker’s rights through his work to pass the Healthcare Interpretation Accountability Act (HB 2359), which ensures healthcare interpreters are provided with personal protective equipment and that Oregon Health Authority provides free and reduced cost training. Lamar is a long time ally of APANO who has consistently supported our coalition and legislature work.

This programming message brought to you by APANO, a 501(c)4 non profit organization.