Election Day 2022 | Photo by Phil Roeder via Wikimedia Commons
NEW YORK – The Filipino American community has something to be proud of due to the 2022 midterm elections. With a record number of FilAm candidates for public office prevailing at local and state levels from coast to coast, they can now say that their quest for representation has finally taken hold.
“Representation matters!” said Brendan Flores, national chair of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), reacting to the elections’ turnout. “We are excited to see progress for our community. Filipino Americans offer a unique leadership type founded upon their deep love for their families and communities.”
Leading the pack is Congressman Bobby Scott. He was re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from the state of Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District and remained the highest-ranking FilAm elected official. He has served his district since 1993.
On the west coast, home to more than 500,000 Filipinos, California saw gains for FilAm candidates at different public office levels.
California
Rob Bonta, appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom as attorney general in 2021, was elected for a full term. He is the first FilAm to hold the office. He was a former San Francisco deputy city attorney. He served briefly on the Alameda City Council before running for the State Assembly, where he has represented the cities of Oakland, Alameda, and San Leandro since 2012. He grew up in California’s Central Valley before moving to the Sacrament area.
Three FilAms will become mayors of their respective towns when they assume in 2023. They are Jed Leano of Claremont City, Rod Daus-Magbual of Daly City, and Melissa Ramoso of Artesia. They were elected as council members but will assume the role of mayors.
In city councils, several FilAms were victorious in their respective runs, such as Gabriel Quinto, the first LGBTQ council member in the history of El Cerrito, Garry Barbadillo of Milpitas City, Ray Buenaventura of Daly City, Ollie Cantos and Letty Lopez-Viado of West Covina City, Tony Daysog of Alameda County, Joanne Del Rosario of the City of Colma, Diosdado Matulac of the City of Vallejo, Buenaflor Nicolas of City of South San Francisco, David Oro of American Canyon, Charles Palmares of the City of Vallejo, Cameron Sasai of the City of Pinole, Phil Bacerra of Santa Ana City, Nikki Fortunato Bas of Oakland City and Ditas Yamane of National City. The 23-year-old Sasai became the youngest Filipino American council member in Pinole City.
In addition, Krystle Ang of Burbank City was elected treasurer, and Kenneth Mejia of Los Angeles was elected as the city’s first FilAm city controller. The 32-year-old activist and accountant Mejia made headlines after becoming the first Filipino American and Asian American elected to citywide office in Los Angeles.
Several FilAms also won school board elections. Thelma Boac and Jaria Jaug won at Berryessa Union School District Board in San Jose, California. Judy Patacsil was elected as a Board Trustee for District 1 of Palomar College in San Diego County. Mike Guingona and Agnes Gonzales also won the election to assume roles at the San Mateo County Community College District Board and Rowland Unified School District, respectively. In addition, Robert Moreno won a seat on the Southwestern Community College District Board of Trustees at South San Diego.
Nevada
Erica Mosca was elected state assembly member to represent District 14.
On the judiciary, attorney Mari Parlade won as a District Family Court Judge in Las Vegas.
Alaska
Genevieve Mina will assume office in the Alaska House of Representatives, representing District 19.
Hawaii
Newcomer Tyler Dos Santos and former State House member Val Okimoto member elected to the Honolulu City Council.
Rosebella Martinez was elected member of the State House of Representatives for District 40 in Ewa.
Brandon Elefante and Henry Aquino were elected senators in the Hawaii State Senate. Elefante, 36, will become Hawaii’s youngest state senator in the coming term.
EAST COAST
Maryland
Kris Valderrama was re-elected to the Maryland House of Delegates.
New York
Steven Raga was elected the first Filipino American in the New York State legislature.
New Hampshire
Luz Bay won Strattford County District 21 of the New Hampshire House of Representatives.
North Carolina
Maria Cervania became the first Filipina American member of the North Carolina Legislature, representing District 41.
Georgia
Marvin Lim was re-elected state representative in District 98.
Tennessee
Justin Jones won as a state representative for District 52 in Tennessee, becoming the youngest lawmaker in the state capitol.
–With Jay Domingo/PDM
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