API Caucus Membership Meeting Materials

As we reconvene in person meetings, the API Caucus of the California Democratic Party remains committed to minimizing our environmental impact. For that purpose only a limited number of meeting material copies will be printed at our incoming meeting.

Please see all of the meeting materials including agenda here.

If you’re joining us in person at the 2023 CADEM Convention, but you’re not yet a member sign up here to pay dues. The 2023 AAPI Caucus Dues Waiver please is available here.

Please find the meeting materials for this meeting below linked in the agenda below.

2023 API Caucus Membership Meeting
Saturday, May 27, 2023, 7:45pm-9:30pm
Updated Location: Platinum F-J Meeting Room, JW Marriott
900 W. Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles

AGENDA
I.      Call to Order | Welcome (1 minute)
II.     Approval of Agenda (1 minute)
III.   Elected Officer Reports (20 minutes)
a.     State Chair Report
b.     State Vice Chair
c.     State Communications Secretary
d.     State Recording Secretary
e.     State Treasurer
f.      State Legislative Director
g.     State Parliamentary Chair
i.      Recertification Items
ii.     Caucus Goals
iii.    2021-2023 Term in Review
iv.    Adoption of Bylaws – Mandatory per CDP and Name Change to AAPI Caucus
h.    Northern California Regional Report – Northern Chair and Northern Regional Team
i.      Southern California Regional Report – Southern Chair and Southern Regional Team
 
IV.   API Caucus Awards Ceremony – Rising Star, Organization Award; Trailblazer to be presented in November 2023
a.      Assemblymember Alex Lee – 2023 Rising Star Honoree
b.     Equality California – 2023 Organizational Excellence Award, Presented to Tony Hoang, Executive Director
 
V.     Invited Speakers
a.     AG Rob Bonta, AAPILC Chair Evan Low
b.     Candidates for CDP Officer Elections
c.      Democratic Senate Candidates
                                               i.     Rep. Schiff (arriving some time between 8:30-8:45)
                                              ii.     Rep. Katie Porter (8:45pm)
                                            iii.     Rep. Barbara Lee – sending surrogate
 
VI.    CDP Caucus Officer Elections
a.     Candidates
                                               i.     State Chair: Deepa Sharma
                                              ii.     State Vice Chair: Hon. Tammy Kim
                                            iii.     State Communications Secretary: Alfred Twu
                                             iv.     State Parliamentary Chair: Aref Aziz
                                              v.     State Legislative Director: Gurpreet Kaur
                                             vi.     State Treasurer: Marilyn Cachola Lucey
                                           vii.     State Recording Secretary: Shivam Patel  
                                          viii.     Northern Chair: Hon. Harris Mojadedi
                                             ix.     Northern Vice Chair & Political Director: Hon. Emily Ramos
                                              x.     Central Valley Vice Chair & Political Director: Hon. Rachel Hernandez
                                             xi.     Northern Secretary: Malia (“Lia”) Aiavao
                                           xii.     Northern Outreach & Local Clubs Chair: Zahra Hajee   
                                          xiii.     Southern Chair: Jessica Caloza
                                          xiv.     Southern Vice Chair & Political Director: Michael Milan
                                            xv.     Southern Secretary: Dr. Andrew Murphy
                                          xvi.     Southern Outreach & Local Clubs Chair: Steve Kang
VII.         Speakers Addressing API Caucus (Time Permitting – Please Be Courteous; Caucus Meeting Time Ends at 9:30)
                                               i.     Hon. Tammy Kim
                                              ii.     Carolyn Fowler
                                            iii.     Hon. Gabriel Quinto
                                             iv.     Diana Love
                                              v.     Andrew Lachman
                                             vi.     Malcolm Johnson
                                           vii.     Assemblymember Phil Ting
                                          viii.     Andrew Lachman, DNC Member
                                             ix.     San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu / Former Chair, CA API Legislative Caucus
                                              x.     Avinder Chawla
                                             xi.     Irene Green
                                           xii.     Hon. DA George Gascon
                                          xiii.     Hon. Darshana Patel
                                          xiv.     Jennifer Esteen
                                            xv.     Jonathan (Tana) S. Lepule
                                          xvi.     John Yi
                                         xvii.     Alex Mohajer
                                       xviii.     Jonathan (Tana) Lepule
                                          xix.     Sade Elhawary
                                            xx.     State Senator – AAPILC Vice Chair Dave Min
                                          xxi.     Hon. Sally J Lieber
                                         xxii.     Dr. Jirair Ratevosian (Pronounced je-RAHR  ra-teh-VOS-yan)
                                       xxiii.     John Yi
                                        xxiv.     Assemblymember Eloise Reyes
                                         xxv.     Maha Rizvi
                                        xxvi.     Susie Shannon or Betty Toto
                                      xxvii.     Asm. Pilar Schiavo
                                     xxviii.     Kipp Mueller
                                        xxix.     Jennifer Williams
                                         xxx.     Aditya Pai
                                        xxxi.     Ysabel Jurado
                                      xxxii.     Rozzana Verder-Aliga
                                     xxxiii.     Derek Marshall
                                     xxxiv.     Alex Mohajer
                                       xxxv.     Hon. Jed Leano
                                     xxxvi.     Senator Scott Wiener
                                    xxxvii.     Dr. Rozzana Verder-Aliga (Vice Mayor of Vallejo)
                                  xxxviii.     Hon. Lateefah Simon
                                     xxxix.     Hon. Yvonne Yiu
                                             xl.     Hon. Dan Kalb
                                           xli.     Cheyenne Hunt
                                          xlii.     Jennifer Tran
                                        xliii.     Fmr. Rep Laura Richardson

Events & API Caucus Membership Meeting at the California Democratic Party Convention

Friday, May 26
Convention Welcome Reception – 7pm
First Draft Taproom and Kitchen, 1230 S. Olive Street, Los Angeles

Saturday, May 27

CADEM Celebrates AAPI Heritage Month – 1:30pm
During General Session in LA Convention Center Hall A

California Young Democrats API Caucus Happy Hour – 5-7pm
with Assemblymember Mike Fong
HiDef Brewing, 1203 S Olive St, Los Angeles
http://tinyurl.com/CYDAPIHAPPYHOUR

API Caucus Meeting – 7:45-9:30pm
Platinum F-J Meeting Room, JW Marriott, 900 W. Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles

AAPI Legislative Caucus Hospitality Suite – 10:15pm- Midnight
with Assemblymember Evan Low
Platinum E Meeting Room, JW Marriott, 900 W. Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles

For list of all CADEM Convention events please visit https://cdpconvention.org/schedule/

Share your convention experience! Use hashtag #Organize4CA and #CADEM

All events are open to the public except General Session. Convention credentials or observer pass required for General Session.




2023 API Caucus Membership Meeting
Saturday, May 27, 2023, 7:45pm-9:30pm
Updated Location: Platinum F-J Meeting Room, JW Marriott
900 W. Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles

AGENDA
– CDP Officer Reports

– Adoption of new Caucus Bylaws
New bylaws can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uUcvmXc43iMbmknmbB7vYgry-l0uUa_i/edit

– Awards Ceremony – Trailblazer, Rising Star, and Organization Award

– Democratic Senate Candidates

– Invited guest speakers:
– AG Rob Bonta
– AAPILC Chair Evan Low
– California Democratic Party officer candidates
– Democratic Candidates for US Senate: Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, Barbara Lee (sending surrogate)

– CDP API Caucus Officer Elections

– Speakers – time permitting.

API Caucus Rising Star & Trailblazer Award Nomination Deadline: April 14

Two Months Until the CADEM Convention in Los Angeles
The Caucus will be meeting in person at the CADEM Convention over Memorial Day Weekend in Los Angeles. Registration details will be available soon.
Sign up to speak at the API Caucus Convention Meeting
Candidates and campaigns: We will have some time at our Convention meeting for candidates to speak to the Caucus. If you would like to speak, please fill out the form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd9qfiPs_s-onFNsFVZ6zWc5c5d9gcVWP9Ea38z5BCOQAmTqw/viewform
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 Applications Close April 14
Trailblazer Nominee Submission Form: https://forms.gle/asJa8BL6P2HEMZcX9 The Trailblazer Award honors extraordinary California Democrats for their excellence in leadership and outstanding public service to the Asian Pacific Islander (API) community and the people of California. 
Rising Star Nominee Submission Form: https://forms.gle/Nd7yMoiizkPeL91z8 The Rising Star Award recognizes outstanding emerging leaders in the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community whose courage, service, and leadership demonstrate strong commitment to empowering the AAPI community in California.

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/

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/

Save the Date – API Caucus Meeting, Friday, March 4, 5-7pm

Save the Date: API Caucus Meeting – Friday, March 4, 5-7pm
Panel Discussion: Housing, Land Use, and the AAPI Community
The 2022 CA Dem State Convention will be online. Our Caucus will meet on Friday, March 4, from 5 to 7pm on Zoom. Agenda and other details are coming soon.
Please register here: https://cadem-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrdeCvqTkqHNPoQQSyuABDrdxKRZZq4-FC

More information on other events during Convention (March 4-6) are available at: https://cdpconvention.org

Congrats to Assemblymember-Elect Mike Fong!
Results show Democrat Mike Fong winning over 2/3 of the vote in the AD49 Special Election. Thank you to everyone who helped out with the campaign.

2022 Primary State & Local Endorsement Process, Redistricting, and more

2022 California Democratic Party Endorsement Process
The California Democratic Party has begun its 2022 Midterm Endorsement Process starting on December 1, 2022. Candidates for Federal and State office in California have until February 3, 2022, to register for consideration by our Delegates and Party Activists.
Legislative Candidates will first be considered at our Pre-Endorsement Conferences on February 12, 2022 and all endorsements will be voted on and approved at our 2022 Endorsing Convention in Los Angeles between March 3 – 6, 2022.
Learn more / apply at https://cadem.org/endorsements/
2022 Primary – Local Endorsement Process
County Central Committees will be endorsing in local elections in the June 2022 Primary Election, such as County Supervisor or Judge.
Los Angeles County: For eligible candidates and ballot measures on the June 7, 2022 Primary ballot seeking endorsement, the application filing period opens Monday, January 10, 2022 and closes Monday, March 14, 2022. Please visit www.lacdp.org/endorsement for details
Santa Clara County: To receive consideration for SCCDP endorsement, contact our Director of Candidate Recruitment and Endorsement, Clarence Madrilejos, at endorse@sccdp.org.
Sonoma County: Please see the SCDP website or contact john@sonomademocrats.org
Tulare County: Contact Arturo Rodriguez for info on the endorsement process or running for office at 916-620-5052.
Other Counties: Please contact the County Central Committee Chair for information on the endorsement process.
Help us identify AAPI Candidates
Our board is working to identify AAPI candidates running for state, federal, and local office throughout California. If you are running or know of someone who is, please contact our Northern California chair Harris Mojadedi or Southern California chair Tammy Kim.
Candidate Training with New American Leaders
It’s official (and after nearly two years of online trainings) — New American Leaders’ signature training, Ready to Lead, is back and in-person next year! Our Southwest Regional Training will take place in Las Vegas on February 4-6th. At Ready to Lead, participants will learn how to share their powerful New American story, address and overcome racism on the campaign trail, fundraise, and organize their community to get out the vote. But most importantly, participants will join a network of other bold New American leaders who are ready to change the face of leadership and create a democracy that works for and represents all of us.
(1) The application is here: https://bit.ly/RTL-2022 (2) The application deadline is: January 10th @ 11:59 PM ET
The upcoming midterm elections are too important to sit out, so here’s my ask: can you share this opportunity with folks in your network? Or apply! First and second-generation immigrants, refugees, and anyone who identifies strongly with the immigrant experience are encouraged to apply. We challenge ideas of who should run and who can win, and many participants come from working-class backgrounds, are first-generation college students, or are formerly undocumented.
Participate in State and Local Redistricting Efforts
The redistricting process for State Assembly, State Senate, and Congress is wrapping up on December 23.
Draft Maps, Visualizations, and Iterations are now available at https://www.wedrawthelinesca.org/map_viewer
There are many ways to give comment, include written comment or calling into a hearing.
Local redistricting for city council districts is also in progress in many cities, check your city website on how to participate.
Save the Date: March 3-6, 2022: California Democratic Party Convention in Downtown Los Angeles
Vaccination and testing will be required for people attending in person. Tentative agenda on pages 7 & 8 here: https://cadem.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/2021-November-EBoard-Floor-Report.pdf
Party leadership will be:
1) Consulting with public health professionals for direction as to the proper protocols for an event of this nature – especially given the fluidity of the pandemic;   2) Exploring any/all options available for a hybrid meeting with remote access for key portions of the meeting for those who are unable or unwilling to participate in-person; and   3) Fully assessing the associated costs, legal ramifications, and applicable bylaws provisions related to final proposed protocols.   If the final proposed protocols are aligned with the Executive Board’s decision in November to have an in-person convention with vaccination and testing required, no additional action will be needed. But, if the final proposed protocols differ from those recommended by public health professionals, party leadership will present those options to the Executive Board for further action.