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Historical Election for New York City’s Largest Asian Neighborhood

Left: John Liu at St. George’s Church in Flushing, Queens, speaking to his supporters on primary night shortly after the polls closed at 9pm. Right: Ethel Chen, second runner-up to Liu, checks with the vote status on primary night, Sept. 25. She was about 200 votes behind John Liu. Photos by Corky Lee.

By Adrian Leung

For the first time ever, there’s a strong chance that New York City’s District 20 — Flushing, Queens — will have an Asian Pacific Islander American City Council Representative. Ballots are still being counted to find out which Chinese American candidate will be the Democratic representative after last week’s primary.

Flushing has over 50,000 APIA residents, accounting for 35 percent of the district’s total population, according to the Asian American Federation of New York. Of the eight candidates running for District 20 incumbent Julia Harrison’s seat, four were APIA.

In the primary, postponed for two weeks after the Sept. 11 tragedy, John Liu leads Ethel Chen 2,600 to 2,400 votes. With 1,600 votes, the second runner up is another APIA — Terrence Park, who heavily advertised in Korean newspapers, asking for voters to send in absentee ballots.

Hoping to end over 150 years of non-representation on New York’s City Council, 13 APIA candidates were running this year for seats in seven districts. Due in part to term limits that have freed 35 City Council seats of incumbents, this unprecedented number of APIAs are running in districts from Queens to Manhattan.

On the evening of Sept. 25, under the crooning of Frank Sinatra, with red, white and blue ribbons everywhere, Liu’s camp celebrated in the Saint George Church gymnasium. Arriving with his wife and child, Liu was applauded by the crowd of 100, predominantly APIA supporters, who ranged from youth to senior citizens.

Born in Taiwan and raised in Queens, Liu received the official Democratic endorsement. At 34, Liu is a prominent community leader in Queens, as well as a manager at an accounting and financial firm. Running as a homeowner and native of Queens, Liu’s platform had a number of quality of life issues — including cleaning up Flushing’s streets and improving schools.

Sylvia McGowen gave her sentiment on the African American community’s support of Liu’s candidacy: “The Afro-American community was concerned with how an Asian man might represent them. But [Liu] knows what it’s like to face prejudice. We have that same ethnic experience. People would say, ‘Once he’s in office, he’ll be different.’ As far as all the ethnic groups, he can blend in with anyone.”

Before delving into the festivities, Liu took a moment to remember the victims of the World Trade Center catastrophe. “Psychologically, we need to regroup as a community. Our children need us to come together. We need to rebuild. I ask you to join with me in strong and effective leadership. We’ll continue to have the economic opportunity and ethnic diversity that will, once again, make New York the true capital of the world.”

Liu was careful not to claim a victory yet, but an audience member near the back of the room assuredly yelled, “John, you won,” giving way to the crowd chanting, “John! Liu!”

Liu also warned that a “rough road” lay ahead, referring to the November general election, and he attempted to appeal to the other candidates. “When we’re all done, we need to come together and keep this seat in the Democratic party.”

District 20 incumbent Harrison has held the seat for 15 years, but due to the implementation of term limits, she cannot run for office this year. Harrison, late in the primary race, endorsed Ethel Chen who threw a much smaller and private celebration in her campaign headquarters down the street from Liu’s gala. Chen, 62, is a retired librarian and long-time Democratic party supporter.

Chen’s senior campaign manager Darryl Fox claimed a “victory for Asians in America,” citing the fact that 7,000 votes were for Asian candidates.

Chen frowned on Liu’s celebration. “You cannot feel overjoyed right now. We’re facing a national disaster. This World Trade Center affair affects everyone directly and indirectly. Life’s so short. Everyone’s friends after Tuesday.”

Asked if she’d support Liu if he wins the election, Chen said, “In the general election, you vote for the good candidate. That doesn’t mean Democrat or Republican. We’re all one family then. It’s premature, anyway. We have to wait to see who really wins.”

The Democratic winner will face Evergreen Chou or Paul Graziano of the Green party and Ryan Walsh, who has the Republican endorsement.