The Korea Daily has endorsed key candidates in their bids for elected office to enhance the political influence of the Korean American community.
Since 2020, the community has successfully elected four members to the U.S. House of Representatives. In this election, there is hope for electing the first Korean American senator and potentially five representatives.
Rep. Michelle Steel (45th District), who previously served on the California State Board of Equalization and as an Orange County Supervisor, is seeking her third term. The 45th District has turned into a battleground, marked by intense campaigning, including appearances by a former president to support her opponent. Korean American voter turnout is crucial in this race.
Rep. Young Kim, who joined Congress four years ago representing California’s 40th District and has been active in the Foreign Affairs Committee, is also running for a third term.
California State Senator Dave Min is making waves in the race for the 47th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. With a background that includes graduating from Harvard Law School and teaching at UC Irvine, Min is expected to secure support from the Korean American community in southern Orange County.
David Kim, a public defender running in the 34th District, is challenging the incumbent with a grassroots campaign that emphasizes change and daily door-to-door outreach. He is calling for active participation from Korean American voters with a strong resolve that there is no room for setbacks.
Grace Yoo, who is running for the Los Angeles City Council’s 10th District, is leveraging her experience as a lawyer and her extensive volunteer work, including with the Korean American Coalition, to push for a historic second entry of a Korean American into the city council.
Steven Choi, who has served as an Irvine School Board member, mayor, and California Assemblyman, is vying for the 37th District State Senate seat, with hopes of becoming a new representative for the Korean American community.
John Yi, the candidate for the California State Assembly in the 54th District, has focused his campaign on “better livelihoods and the environment,” resonating with voters disenchanted with the status quo.
The Korea Daily also endorsed Adam Schiff, former U.S. Representative, for the U.S. Senate race, and incumbent Sharon Quirk-Silva, representing Fullerton and other Korean American residential areas, for the California State Assembly’s 67th District.
BY BRIAN CHOI, YOUNGNAM KIM [ichoi@koreadaily.com]
