WASHINGTON, D.C. / November 6, 2006 — The Board of the Asian American Action Fund (AAA-Fund) has endorsed Darcy Burner, candidate for the United States House of Representatives from Washington's Eighth Congressional District.

"Darcy will be an outstanding representative for the thousands of Asian Pacific Americans who live in Washington's Eighth Congressional District," said Erika Moritsugu, executive director of the AAA-Fund. "Her experience outside of politics — as a mother and businesswoman — will serve her well in bringing refreshing and much-needed change to the halls of Congress."

In addition to the AAA-Fund's endorsement, Burner has garnered endorsements from other influential quarters of the APA community, including the Filipino American Political Action Group, the Indian American Political Advocacy Council, Congressman Mike Honda, and former Washington State Governor Gary Locke.

"I am honored to accept the endorsement of the Asian American Action Fund," said Burner. "The Asian American community is a vital and integral part of our broader community in the Pacific Northwest. I look forward to working with them further and representing their interests, both in Washington State and in Washington, D.C."

Washington's Eighth Congressional District stretches from the suburbs of Seattle to Mount Ranier and the southern border of Washington State. Asian Pacific Americans constitute a significant 12 percent of the district's population.

"Darcy's middle-class roots, work ethic, and commitment to family have endeared her to many in the APA community," said Gautam Dutta, AAA-Fund board member. "Her personal and political values will make her an excellent representative of the many Asian Americans in the Eight District."

Burner, whose father spent a lifetime in the Air Force, worked her way through college, earning a degree in computer science from Harvard University in 1996. Not long after graduation, Burner moved to the west coast, where she has spent the past ten years working in the high-tech economies of northern California and Washington. Most recently, she served as a manager at Microsoft prior to devoting herself full-time to her Congressional candidacy.

Despite her busy schedule as a high-tech businesswoman, Burner has found time to start and raise a family, and remain involved with numerous community civic groups.

The AAA-Fund is a Democratic political action committee whose goal is to increase the voice of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders on every level of local, state and federal government in America. To achieve this goal, we address the chronic under-representation of Asian Pacific Americans (APAs) as campaign volunteers, campaign contributors, and candidates for political office. The AAA-Fund has endorsed candidates across the country.