ASPIRE PAC Condemns Racist Rhetoric Aimed at AANHPI Candidates

WASHINGTON, DC – ASPIRE PAC Chair Grace Meng released the following statement after a racist post made against Andy Kim, the latest in a string of ugly rhetoric aimed at Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) candidates running for office this election cycle. Earlier this month, Republican Michelle Steel used red-baiting imagery on mailers aimed at Derek Tran, a U.S. Army veteran and the son of Vietnamese refugees running in California’s 45th District. Korean American Dave Min running in California’s 47th District had several of his campaign signs defaced with racial slurs. And the New Hampshire Republican Party has used race-baiting imagery against a Chinese American running for State Senate. 

“It is sickening to see the constant ‘othering’ and racist rhetoric aimed at our AANHPI candidates and elected officials. Our community still faces anti-Asian hate because of the inflammatory rhetoric used by President Trump during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is exhausting to see the same rhetoric and vitriol in this election cycle. Asian Americans are Americans, too, and this hate has no place in our political discourse. Republicans should denounce anti-Asian rhetoric whenever it occurs and commit to no longer using any race- or red-baiting imagery. Our AANHPI communities have had enough.” 

Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders Rising & Empowering Political Action Committee (ASPIRE PAC) is the political arm of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Members of Congress. ASPIRE PAC is committed to supporting candidates of AAPI descent and incumbents who represent large communities of AAPI voters. According to the 2020 census, the AAPI community is the fastest-growing demographic in the country. In addition, in 2020 the AAPI community increased its voter turnout more than any other community of color. There are currently 21 AAPI Members of Congress, including two U.S. Senators, and two new Members of Congress – Shri Thanedar (MI-13) and Jill Tokuda (HI-02).

###