Apply Now to Run for a Position on the 2023-2025 API Caucus Board


The API Caucus will be meeting and holding our elections for the 2023-2025 Board at the May 2023 CA Dem convention. If you are interested in running for a position on the API Caucus Board, please fill the form here. https://forms.gle/qabDzEfDoHPJn68H7
The deadline is 30 days before the convention. Convention starts on May 25 – please apply by April 25.
Learn more about the different Caucus board positions in our bylaws at https://apicaucus.com/bylaws/
A candidate for office must be a full member of the Caucus in good standing for at least 30 days prior to the election. If you need to renew your membership, please use the link here: https://onlinecampaigntools.com/WebForms/ViewForm?key=v3OgtUdQThjhzNZ%2FYfwUPw%3D%3D
Nominate Someone for our Trailblazer & Rising Star Awards
Trailblazer Nominee Submission Form: https://forms.gle/asJa8BL6P2HEMZcX9
Rising Star Nominee Submission Form: https://forms.gle/Nd7yMoiizkPeL91z8

The CA Dem API Caucus Stands with Congresswoman Judy Chu against Racist Remarks by a Republican Congressman.
Asian Americans are American. Questioning the loyalty of Representative Judy Chu, who is a distinguished American public servant, perpetuates racism against our communities. We must reject the coordinated right-wing smear campaign targeting Chinese Americans.
President Biden Nominates Julie Su for Secretary of Labor
Julie Su has worked on campaigns for raising the minimum wage, creating high quality jobs, enforcing safety standards, and stopping wage theft and human trafficking. She also previously served as the Labor Secretary of the State of California.
Learn more at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/02/28/president-biden-nominates-julie-su-for-secretary-of-the-department-of-labor/

Save the Date! California Democratic Party Convention at the Los Angeles Convention Center in May

The API Caucus will be meeting and holding our elections for the 2023-2025 Board at the May 2023 CA Dem convention. If you are interested in running for a position on the API Caucus Board, please fill the form here at least 30 days before Convention: https://forms.gle/qabDzEfDoHPJn68H7

Learn more about the different Caucus board positions in our bylaws at https://apicaucus.com/bylaws/
A candidate for office must be a full member of the Caucus in good standing for at least 30 days prior to the election. If you need to renew your membership, please use the link below.
Renew Your Caucus Membership

If you need to renew your membership, caucus dues can be paid at https://onlinecampaigntools.com/WebForms/ViewForm?key=v3OgtUdQThjhzNZ%2FYfwUPw%3D%3D

Biden-⁠Harris Administration Continues to Uplift Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Communities

On January 17, the Biden-Harris Administration released its first-ever National Strategy to Advance Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) Communities. The new strategy, which comprises action plans prepared by 32 federal agencies—including all 15 executive departments in the President’s Cabinet—builds on the Administration’s broader equity agenda and details much needed investments in AA and NHPI communities and priorities, including data disaggregation, language access, and combatting anti-Asian hate.

Learn more at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/01/17/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-continues-to-uplift-asian-american-native-hawaiian-and-pacific-islander-communities/

ADEM Delegate Elections

Mail Ballots due January 31

In-Person Voting this Weekend

Ballots for the ADEM have been mailed out. If you have requested one, please complete it and return it ASAP, ballots must be received by January 31 to be counted. For those who don’t have a mail ballot, you can vote in person at any of the ADEM voting locations this weekend, go to www.ademelections.com to find the nearest one.

Save the Date – 2023 Convention

The California Democratic Party Convention will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on May 26-28, 2023

Caucus Meeting Recap

We heard from the California Young Democrats API Caucus, South Asians for America, the Grassroots Dems HQ, State Senator Dr. Pan, and Assemblymembers-Elect Dr. Jasmeet Bains, Stephanie Nguyen, and Senator-Elect Aisha Wahab on the challenges and successes from this year’s election.

We also had a panel caucus discussion on the 2022 Midterms and AAPI Outreach Strategies.

These included sending questionnaires to candidates focusing on our communities’ priorities, mailers to AAPI households, being at events year round, in language messaging that is not just translated but also tailored to the community, inviting ethnic media to events, cultural competency as part of candidate training, and working with other groups such as Young Democrtas and LGTBQ Democratic clubs to challenge racism.

Panelists also talked about building the bench through local Democratic club leadership, AAPI campaign staff, getting the next generation of activists at colleges involved, expanding representation on County Central Committees, and appointments to commissions and other leadership roles.

Thank you to our panelists:

  • Facilitator: Emily Ramos, NorCal Vice Chair, California Democratic Party – API Caucus
  • Serena Chen, Board Member and past President of Asian Pacific American Democratic Caucus of Alameda County
  • Indroneal Banerjee, President, AAPI Democratic Club of San Diego
  • Jessica Caloza, President, Pilipino American LA Democrats
  • Steve Kang, President, Korean American Democratic Committee in Los Angeles

California Democratic Party passes Resolution Affirming that Members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (“AAPI”) Community Are American

WHEREAS, the AAPI community includes individuals who draw their heritage from the Pacific Islands, East Asia, South Asia, South East Asia, and Central Asia, and is comprised of a diverse community, with no singular language, religion, or history that binds the community; and there are more than 22 million members of the AAPI community nationwide, with California being home to the largest AAPI population, as one out of every six Californians is AAPI; AAPIs are the fastest growing groups in our state and nation, the community has been crucial to achieving Democratic electoral victories; and

WHEREAS, members of the AAPI community are valued members of our society, with a long history of contributions to our American fabric; in 1587, the first documented arrival of Filipinos occurred; the earliest evidence of South Asians arriving in America was 1790, and with Sikhs arriving in America in 1899; approximately 20,000 Chinese laborers built the Transcontinental Railroad; the community has had different pathways and journeys to America; with a segment arriving here as laborers, others arriving due to political conflict, war, and natural disasters, while many have come to America in recent years as a result of the Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965, AAPIs are also the fastest-growing segment of the undocumented population; and

WHEREAS, AAPI communities were the first group to be targeted by race-based prohibitions on 34 immigration, including under the Page Act of 1875 restricting the entry of Chinese Women, the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 which was extended to prohibit the citizenship of most Asians, including South Asians, under the Supreme Court case of United States v. Bhagat Singh Thind in 1923; members of the Japanese American community were summarily incarcerated during World War II; the continued otherization of this community has led to the present day AAPI Hate, which also includes xenophobic attacks occurring against Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and South Asian communities in the aftermath of September 11; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the California Democratic Party affirms and recognizes that members of the AAPI community are indeed American, and stands against the “forever foreigner” trope that leads AAPI communities to feel continuously otherized; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the California Democratic Party affirms and recognizes the contributions of AAPI immigrants, and people of AAPI heritage, to California.

Thank you to our chair Deepa Sharma for authoring and leading this resolution.

California Democratic Party adds the Afghan Adjustment Act to list of 2022 priority legislation

California Democratic Party executive board took a Support position on Senator Amy Klobuchar’s Afghan Adjustment Act as a legislative priority. California is home to many Afghan Americans and the Act will provide stability and support for refugees.

Learn more about the Afghan Adjustment Act at https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2022/8/klobuchar-graham-coons-blunt-blumenthal-and-murkowski-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-allowing-afghans-allies-in-the-united-states-to-apply-for-permanent-legal-status

Interested in being a CADEM Delegate for 2023-2024?

Here is the ADEM schedule

December 9, 2022 – ADEM Candidate Application Closes

December 31, 2022 – ADEM Vote-By-Mail Application Closes

January 7-8, 2023 – ADEM Meetings (weekend 1)

January 21-22, 2023 – ADEM Meetings (weekend 2)

May 26-28, 2023 – California Democratic Party Convention (Los Angeles)

Learn more and apply at www.ademelections.com

Saturday Campaign Events in September-October

Sign up to make calls at https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/495665/
Voter Engagement Training in Millbrae on Oct 1 Please join our interactive voter engagement training for AAPI-identified leaders in San Mateo County led by Christine Chen, executive director and founder of the Asian Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote), a nationally recognized and leading nonprofit in AAPI civic engagement.
During this half-day training you will learn about voter mobilization strategies and develop skills to get our AAPI community registered and turning out to vote in November!
   8:30 AM – Coffee & Mingle    9:00 AM – Training    12:00 PM – Lunch
Limited seating, please RSVP early. Boxed lunch will be provided.
RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/san-mateo-aapi-voter-engagement-training-tickets-405442668937
Let’s Flip Congressional District 45 to Blue! Volunteer for Jay Chen for Congress
Hello Team Chen!    We are a few weeks from ballot drop and need YOU now more than ever.
Canvass with us in Garden Grove on Saturday, October 8.
We are also set up on our autodialer and are calling Monday-Thursday from 5PM-8PM! We are also calling in multiple different languages so if you or any of your friends are multilingual, join us now at jaychen.us/phonebank!    You can also find more volunteer events with us at jaychen.us/volunteer. Can’t make it to an event? Ask a friend to join us! Please be sure to reach out if you have any questions!
CYD API Caucus are hosting a API Women Day of Action in partnership with the California Democratic Party API Caucus and Riverside County NOW for Fauzia Rizvi for State Assembly and Jocelyn Yow for Eastvale City Council Re-election!
Join us for a Canvass walk will be hosted in Eastvale, CA on Saturday October 15, 2022 from 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM!
Location will be provided upon RSVP. https://www.mobilize.us/cydapicaucus/event/508752/
Canvass for Aisha Wahab – Every Saturday Please join the A-Team on Saturdays at 10 AM in Alameda County to knock on doors and talk to your neighbors and tell them why you support Aisha Wahab for State Senate! Exact location will be provided the week of the canvass. No prior experience is needed. Training will be provided on site. Have fun and make a difference in your community.
Every Saturday,10am-2pm, https://www.mobilize.us/aishawahab/event/500976/
Register at https://cadem.org/executive-board/

Let’s Flip Congressional District 45 to Blue! Volunteer for Jay Chen for Congress

We’ll be hosting phonebanks for Jay Chen with South Asians for America every Tuesday, 5-7pm. This Orange County district is one of the most competitive districts in the country and flipping it to blue is critical to maintaining a Democratic majority in Congress.

We’re making calls this Tuesday 5-7pm! Sign up at jaychen.us/api-pb

There are also Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, Filipino, South Asian, and Farsi language call lists you can call at other times throughout the week.
Sign up at https://jaychen.us/pb-guide

Jay Chen is also holding an API Day of Action on Sunday, August 28, with events in Cerritos and Westminster.
Sign up at jaychen.us/api-cerritos and jaychen.us/api-wm

Join the API Caucus at the CA Democratic Party Executive Board Conference – Online and in Los Angeles, July 8-10, 2022

API Caucus Meeting
Friday, July 8, 7:00-8:30pm
Online – Register/Join at https://bit.ly/CADEMAPICaucus

Agenda
California Democratic Party 2022 Summer Executive Board Meeting
Asian Pacific Islander Caucus Meeting Agenda
Friday, July 8, 2021 | 7pm-9pm
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvcOChpj0vE9EbC5WatLCOCuaF_LOILvme 

I. Call to Order | Welcome (1 minute)
II. Approval of Agenda (1 minute)
III. Elected Officer Reports (15 minutes)
State Chair Report
State Vice Chair
State Communications Secretary
State Recording Secretary
State Treasurer Report 
State Legislative Director Report 
State Parliamentary Chair
Northern California Regional Report – Northern Chair
Southern California Regional Report – Southern Chair
IV. AAPI Caucus Program: Panel Discussion – 2022 Midterms and Courting the AAPI Vote (55 minutes)
V. Speakers/Announcements (pre-registration at google form required https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf9QfXRW6MQtd2qajwxy-v8I9nzod83bzoFfRlO8XFXLtSPeQ/viewform?)
VI. Adjournment

Canvass for Jay Chen for Congress
Saturday, July 9, 10:30am-2:30pm
Eboard Attendees sign up here
Other Volunteers sign up here

API Caucus Mixer
Saturday, July 9, 5-7pm
In Person in Los Angeles Chinatown – Location to be announced soon
For the full agenda of the E-Board conference and other information, please see https://cadem.org/executive-board/

AAPI Democratic Candidates Win in the June 2022 Primary

Thank you to everyone that volunteered and donated to our candidates! With most ballots now counted, here are some highlights from this year’s primary election:

Statewide
Statewide candidates Attorney General Rob Bonta and Treasurer Fiona Ma both won over 50% of the vote in the primary and are in a strong position for re-election in November, where they will face Republicans.

Sacramento
Representatives Ami Bera (CA6) and Doris Matsui (CA7) both have a majority of votes in the Congressional primary and will be on the November ballot.

Bay Area
Assemblymembers Phil Ting (AD19), Alex Lee (AD24), Ash Kalra (AD25), and Evan Low (AD26) all finished in first place in the primary, and will be on the ballot in the November general election. In the open Senate District 10 seat, CA Dem endorsed candidate Aisha Wahab has also advanced to the November general election.

Representative Ro Khanna (CA17) has a majority of votes in the Congressional primary and will be on the November ballot.

Rosemary Kamei was elected to the San Jose City Council, with nearly 2/3 of the vote.

Southern California
Assemblymembers Mike Fong (AD49) and Al Muratsuchi (AD66) all finished in first place in the primary, and will be on the ballot in the November general election.

In the open Assembly seats, Fauzia Rizvi (AD63) and Diedre Thu-Ha Nguyen (AD70) both received the most votes in their district and will be on the November ballot.

Representatives Judy Chu (CA28), Ted Lieu (CA36) has a majority of votes in the Congressional primary and will be on the November ballot.

Congressional candidates Asif Mahmood (CD40) Jay Chen (CA45) are running to unseat Republican incumbents and have both advanced to November ballot.
Save the Date- API Caucus Membership Meeting at the July CA Dem Executive Board Conference
Friday, July 8, 6:30-8pm
Online – Zoom Link available soon
For the full agenda of the E-Board conference and other information, please see https://cadem.org/executive-board/

Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month!

May is AAPI Heritage Month! Join the California Democratic Party and the CDP API Caucus in honoring our history. Join our online celebration with a discussion on AAPIs in the Civil Rights Movement on Thursday, May 12, 6-7pm. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/439573/

Call for Recipes Share your recipes for the CADEM Celebrates AAPI Heritage Month Recipe Book! Please send in recipes using this link by May 3, 2022

Celebrating Eid Join California Democrats in an online Eid celebration on May 3, 2022. RSVP at www.cadem.vote/eid
Join us at the AAPI Caucus Town Hall with Attorney General Josh Kaul on April 27!
Join us at the WisDems AAPI Caucus Town Hall with Attorney General Josh Kaul on Wednesday, April 27 at 7 PM!

The WisDems AAPI Caucus is thrilled to invite you to a conversation with Attorney General Kaul, Wisconsin’s highest ranking Asian American elected official! Since his election in 2018, AG Kaul has fought for public health, reproductive rights, and environmental protections. He has also been instrumental in defending democracy and protecting voting rights in WI–and we are thrilled to support him in his re-election campaign!We want to hear from you!

RSVP herewisdems.org/aapitownhall