Members of Congress Call on DNC to Ensure Asian American and Pacific Islander Moderator in One of Its Presidential Debates

Group sends letter to DNC Chair Tom Perez  

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, ASPIRE PAC, the political arm of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Members of Congress, sent a letter to Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tom Perez calling for the DNC to ensure that at least one of the DNC-sponsored presidential debates features an AAPI moderator.

“Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are the fastest growing population in our country and the DNC has rightly recognized this fact by increasing the number of AAPIs in senior level positions, and expanding AAPI outreach efforts,” said Congresswoman Grace Meng, Chair of ASPIRE. “It is now time for the DNC to take their commitment even further by ensuring that Asian Americans are represented among moderators on the debate stage. I am hopeful that this can happen and look forward to Chairman Perez responding to our request. I am confident that host networks will not have trouble finding qualified and talented AAPIs to include in their moderator panels.” 

In addition to serving as ASPIRE Chair, Meng is a DNC Vice Chair.  

ASPIRE PAC works to support AAPI federal candidates and candidates with large AAPI constituencies.