By Elaine Kim
Northwest Asian Weekly
In the upcoming primary elections on Aug. 18, there are many Asian candidates who are aiming to represent the different communities in the Greater Seattle area. Listed below are some of the Asian American candidates that you may want to keep an eye on.
Note that this is not a comprehensive list and that Northwest Asian Weekly does not endorse any candidates during the primaries.
Patsy Bonincontri
Bellevue City Council, council position no. 4
Opponent: Kevin R. Wallace
Patsy Bonincontri is running for another four years as a city councilmember. She has worked to establish Bellevue’s strong education system, safe streets, and a sturdy economy. Bonincontri says she wants to continue to build upon these successes. She has voted in the past for more police enforcement on the streets. She works to bring cleaner parks and safer neighborhoods to Bellevue residents.
Sally Chen
City of Redmond, council position no. 4
Opponents: Kim Allen
Sally Chen is running for Redmond’s council position because she wants to represent her community. She does not want to be seen as a government official, but as someone who is willing to listen to and work with residents. She believes the city should prioritize maintaining needed services and encouraging fair business growth. Chen also wants to find effective solutions for transportation and wants responsible protection of the environment. She was born in Taiwan and graduated from the University of Illinois.
Wilson Chin
Seattle School District No. 1, director district no. 7
Opponents: Betty Patu and Charlie Mas
Wilson Chin wants all of the students to receive a high quality education. He believes that there should be more support for immigrant students because they are driven to establish themselves. Chin has a strong science and math background, which may help to find ways to develop the math and sciences department in the schools. Chin is a member of the Kimball Building Leadership Team and worked to interview teachers.
Arthur Hu
Northshore School District No. 417, director district no. 1
Opponents: Julia Lacey, Jeff Wirrick, and Sue Buske
Arthur Hu wants to restructure the Northshore education board by going back to a more traditional style of teaching. He says he does not believe in unnecessary graduate requirements, such as the senior project. Hu wants to decrease the types of homework that the students and parents do not understand, and bring back the traditional ways of teaching. Hu is an engineer and graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Conrad Lee
Bellevue City Council, council position no. 2
Opponent Vicki Orrico
Conrad Lee is running to for re-electon. He wants to keep the tax rates down, preserve neighborhoods, improve the transportation system, and keep the community safe. Lee says that he wants to work harder this term to keep Bellevue’s reputation of having excellent public schools, safe neighborhoods, and strong businesses. Lee fled from China because of communism and many consider him to be a symbol of the American dream.
Aaron K. Owada
North Thurston School District No. 3, board director no. 3
Unopposed
Aaron Owada is running to be part of the North Thurston School Board. In the last four years, Owada has worked with other members to improve test scores and restore trust in public schools. He wants to continue his service by insuring quality education by having unselfish and dedicated teachers. Owada has been an attorney for 18 years and is dedicated to improve the North Thurston School District.
Betty Patu
Seattle School District No. 1, director district no. 7
Opponents: Wilson Chin , Charlie Mas
Betty Patu is running to increase college-bound students and decrease gang-related violence. Her past achievements are helping to keep Rainier Beach High School open and working for Seattle Public Schools for 32 years. She is an advocate of diversity and believes that there should be more cultural integration in the schools. Patu has worked to keep minorities in school and reduce the presence of gangs in the schools.
Cindy Ryu
City of Shoreline, council position no. 5
Opponent: Shari Tracey
Cindy Ryu is campaigning for re-election as Shoreline city councilmember. She is an advocate of creating transparent businesses, safe neighborhoods, and clean natural environments. In her past term as mayor, she voted to put more police enforcement in the neighborhoods and helped to protect South Woods from becoming development tracts. Ryu prioritizes to bring transparency to the city’s government and help local, family-owned businesses to improve.
Al Yuen
Port of Seattle Commissioner, position no. 3
Opponents: Rob Holland and David Doud
Al Yuen says he can bring his business experience in the local and international arena. He prioritizes to make a clean and safe environment by advocating clean water and safe shipping practices in Bellevue’s waterways. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in law administration and a masters degree in business. Yuen has been a King County resident for 40 years. He believes that, with his personal business experience, he can help strengthen Bellevue’s businesses.
Lloyd Hara (will not be in the primaries, but look for his name in the general election)
King County Assessor
Lloyd Hara wants to alleviate the county’s taxpayers. He realizes that the current tax rates have remained the same despite the struggling economy. He believes the county’s taxes should be in proportion to the economy. He also runs to treat everyone fairly and honestly by the King County government. With his experience as both the Seattle City Treasurer and Seattle Port Commissioner, he believes that he has the leadership skills to be a successful King County Assessor. ♦
Elaine Kim can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.