Looking ahead to the 2024 general election to choose the leaders of our communities, the Korea Daily is announcing endorsements and weighing in on the candidates and propositions.
Since 2020, the Korea Daily has been endorsing candidates from all walks of life through the Candidate Evaluation Committee to ensure that politicians make and follow through on good promises and that ultimately, the votes of Korean American voters will make a difference.
From the candidates who made it through the primary, the Korea Daily selected candidates who have produced meaningful policies and contributed to the Korean American community.
Despite the endorsements, the Korea Daily will continue to provide unbiased coverage.
5. Steven S. Choi, California State Senate District 37
The Korea Daily is proud to endorse Steven Seokho Choi, a former Irvine mayor, California Assemblymember, and candidate for California Senate District 37.
Choi joined the Irvine City Council in 2004, when Korean-American political power was in its formative years, and was elected mayor, serving four years until 2016.
Following his term as mayor, he ran for and won the election for the State Assembly District 68 and represented the Korean-American community in Sacramento for six years. As a senior member of the assembly, he has used his political power to pass bills and resolutions in both the Senate and Assembly in solidarity with his colleagues from neighboring districts, including designating Hangul Day, Kimchi Day, Taekwondo Day, and an adjustment to the sales classification of domestically produced soju.
Choi frequently refers to his Korean-American representation in the state legislature. With no Korean-American representative in the state Assembly and State Senator Dave Min of the 37th Senate District leaving to run for Congress, Choi says it’s time for someone to represent the Korean-American community.
Choi is running on a platform of reducing the tax burden on residents to stem the exodus, revitalizing the economy after the pandemic, and creating a safer living environment. He is also calling on Korean-American voters to choose the Republican Party as a counterbalance to the ruling Democratic Party.
The 37th Senate District includes Fullerton, Irvine, Orange, Placentia, Tustin, and Yorba Linda, all of which have large Korean American populations. The 37th Senate District overlaps with the 68th Assembly District, where Choi ran, so he is hoping that voters who remember him will show their support. The OC Register also endorsed Choi in September, noting that he has the qualifications and experience to represent the district.
For more information, visit Choi’s campaign website at www.stevenchoi.org.
[Candidate Evaluation Committee]
