What a close race for many candidates in the recent elections! We know now that some API candidates like Steve Hobbs, Darshan Rauniyar, Bobby Virk, Sahar Fathi, and others did not make the mark this time around, but we’d like to commend them for their good efforts. We are lucky to be living in a state where so many districts and fields are represented with qualified members of our community.
It’s also encouraging to see that APIs continue to participate in the democratic process, not just as voters, but also as candidates. This level of participation is inspiring to younger generations who can see examples of minorities striving to enact social change. Win or lose, a diverse group of candidates ensures that a similarly diverse group of voters are participating in the political dialogue. For immigrant communities who’ve strived for years to have their voices heard, this kind of progress is priceless.
While it’s true that elections should not be about race, a candidate’s background can add to his or her perspective on important issues. It is still very important to the community to feel that there are leaders who can speak for them and address their concerns. Furthermore, working on a campaign is not only a vital education for the candidate, but also one for all those involved from policy researchers, media relations, specialists, and volunteers. These are the types of experiences that empower communities.
In the news, there are often too many ways in which the government or the system fails us. But after an exciting election like this one, we can look towards the future with anticipation. We can see the many ways which one can be involved. Without the candidates who gave so much of themselves to their campaign, many citizens would lose out on such a valuable opportunity.
To the candidates who will not make it past the primaries, don’t let your loss deter you from trying again. Your campaign has been a great investment in the community, which will carry lasting effects. We hope you’ll continue staying in touch with voters and building your experience. We will remember you when the next elections come along. (end)