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In its first election cycle in 2000, the AAA-Fund sponsored and participated in several conferences designed to encourage APAs to participate in the political process.
It also held widely-attended political fundraising events for candidates of Chinese, Indian, Japanese and Pacific Islander ancestry who were running for offices at the state and federal level. Of the eight candidates that the AAA-Fund endorsed, seven were elected to office.
In 2002, the AAA-Fund endorsed 16 candidates, held several fundraising events, and dramatically expanded its education and outreach efforts by developing an Internet outreach campaign targeted at the APA community.
In 2004, the AAA-Fund concentrated its efforts on seven candidates, and won five of the races while continuing to expand education and leadership training. 2005 brought comparable success, with early support for Boston City Councilman Sam Yoon and help for Virginia Governor Tim Kaine that has led to high level positions for Asian Americans in both the campaign and gubernatorial staffs.
In 2006, the AAA-Fund and other Asian Americans campaigned hard for Jim Webb, who won by a narrow margin in his race for United States Senator from Virginia. His victory tipped the balance in the Senate to the Democrats. Other key races were won by AAA-Fund endorsees in 2006 and 2007 in Congressional and state legislature races.
The APA community has the nation's highest rate of computer ownership and Internet usage, and we have shown how "virtual redistricting" could allow us to support worthy APA candidates with our dollars even if we live outside their districts.
As we look ahead to campaigns in 2008, we will continue to endorse candidates, promote community education, and encourage more Asian Pacific Americans to get involved as voters, donors, volunteers, and candidates. Please join us!
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