AAPI’s Represented a Whopping 17% of California’s Electorate in 2020, Will Play a Critical Role in Aiding Governor Newsom’s Victory

WASHINGTON — Today, the AAPI Victory Fund endorsed California Governor Gavin Newsom in his bid to stave off a partisan, right-wing attempt to recall him and urged all AAPI voters to vote “no” on the recall. 

Governor Newsom has been a dedicated ally of the AAPI community. He’s repeatedly spoken out against hateful rhetoric and anti-AAPI hate crimes, and he recently approved the first-ever Asian Pacific Islander Equity budget, a historic investment which allocated over $156 million to advocacy groups committed to using noncarceral alternatives to combat violence against the AAPI community which makes up 16% of California’s population. He also appointed Rob Bonta as the first Filipino-American to serve as the state’s Attorney General. 

The AAPI Victory Fund will support Newsom heavily with canvassing, field organizing and fundraising, and will devote as many resources as necessary to fight back against extreme, right-wing Republicans like Larry Elder. 

In the 2020 election, AAPI’s represented 17% of California’s electorate and have experienced a 53% growth rate since 2000. In a close election, AAPI’s might be the difference between a Newsom victory and loss. 

AAPI Victory Fund Chairman Shekar Narasimhan issued the following statement: 

“We are throwing our support behind Governor Gavin Newsom and asking the AAPI community to send in their ballots marked NO against recalling a progressive Governor of California. Governor Newsom has been an ally to the AAPI community and this scurrilous effort by a right-wing minority must be defeated.”

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The AAPI Victory Fund is focused on mobilizing Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) eligible voters and moving them to the ballot box.