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.
6. Sharon Quirk-Silva, 67th California Assembly
The Korea Daily officially endorses incumbent Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva in the race for California’s 67th Assembly District, which includes a significant Korean-American population in Orange County and Los Angeles County.
Assemblymember Quirk-Silva, a Democrat, has represented District 67 (previously District 65) — which encompasses Fullerton, Cypress, Buena Park, La Palma, Artesia, and Cerritos — since 2012.
Known for her pro-Korean stance, she briefly lost her seat to Young Kim in 2014 but reclaimed it in 2016 and has served continuously since.
A Fullerton native born in Los Angeles, Quirk-Silva attended UCLA and Cal State Fullerton before spending nearly 30 years as an elementary school teacher. She later transitioned to politics, serving as both a Fullerton City Council member and mayor, becoming a well-recognized figure in her community.
A strong advocate for the Korean-American community, she introduced a resolution in August 2023 to designate a “Korean Hanbok Day” in California, donning a traditional red hanbok at the state capitol to make a memorable speech.
Her support for Korean culture and history is further highlighted by her efforts in establishing the “Korean War Veterans Memorial” in Fullerton, for which she received the South Korean government’s “Ambassador for Peace” medal.
Additionally, she helped secure $1 million in state funding for the Korean Community Service organization to support and enrich the lives of Korean residents.
Her campaign centers on improving education quality, economic growth-based support for low-income families, enhancing veterans’ services, and investing in transportation infrastructure.
California’s 67th District has a population of about 460,000 residents, with approximately 330,000 eligible voters. The demographic breakdown is 50% White, 34% Latino, and 7% Asian.
For more information on her campaign promises and to reach out, visit her campaign website (https://www.sharonquirksilva.com).
[Candidate Evaluation Committee]
