Spotlight on QTAPI Candidates
2024 will be a busy electoral year. GAPA believes in the importance of helping our community make informed decisions. With that in mind, GAPA would like to highlight Queer and Trans API candidates running in the upcoming Spring election.
If we missed your name or another candidate running for office, please email candidate information to news@gapa.org and we will update our blog post.
Evan Low, US House, CA District 16
Evan is a fourth-generation Californian and lifelong Silicon Valley resident. Elected to the California State Assembly in 2014, Evan has brought diverse coalitions together to deliver results on the biggest issues of our time, maintaining Silicon Valley’s global competitiveness, leading the fight on climate change, and lowering costs for middle-class families struggling to live and raise a family in California. As past Chair of the LGBTQ+ Caucus, Evan led the charge on marriage equality and protecting civil rights here and across the country. Through his leadership of the Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, Evan has been a powerful bulwark against the rapid rise in Asian hate fueled by the xenophobia and nativism of the Trump presidency. Now running for Congress to represent CA District 16, Evan would become the first Chinese American and first LGBTQ+ member elected from the Bay Area. evanlowforcongress.com
Dr. Jennifer Kim-Anh Tran, US House, CA District 12
Born and raised in Oakland, CA, Dr. Tran’s intersectional life experiences as a queer Vietnamese-American woman from Oakland have forged her into an inclusive, determined, and effective leader. She has unapologetically fought against AAPI hate, gun violence, and anti-LGBTQ+ attacks. Her solutions are built to solve problems today, not tomorrow, while building for a future that is greener, people-focused, and more equitable. drtranforcongress.com
Alex Lee, California State Assembly, District 24
Representing District 24 in the California State Assembly, Alex is grateful for the opportunity to serve his home district and looks forward to continuing to serve the communities of San Jose, Milpitas, Fremont, Newark and Sunol as assemblymember for another term. Alex is proud to be part of a new generation of leadership that will put an end to the structural inequity that has led to our state’s most pressing challenges and has stalled our most important solutions. votealexlee.com
SF DEMOCRATIC COUNTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE (SFDCC)
Vick Chung, SFDCC, Assembly District 17
Labor & Working Families Slate. Vick was the first openly non-binary, gender-queer person elected in San Francisco and serves on the City College Board of Trustees. A survivor of abuse, raised in low-income housing, and a product of public schools, Vick has always prioritized helping others, serving as an interpreter for aspiring citizens, a tutor for ESL students, and a mentor for survivors of sexual violence.
Jeremy Lee, SFDCC, Assembly District 17
Labor & Working Families Slate. A 3rd generation San Franciscan with deep roots in the Chinese community, Jeremy is dedicated to serving low-income communities at Chinatown Community Development Center. Managing over 1,400 units of affordable housing, he witnesses the challenges faced by marginalized groups daily. On the SFDCCC he aims to be a voice for immigrants, LGBTQ individuals, and working families.
Michael Nguyen, SFDCC, Assembly District 17
Labor & Working Families Slate. Michael is dedicated to uplifting the AAPI and LGBTQ+ communities. Renowned for his drag persona Juicy Liu, he organized Queer Lunar New Year events. Notably, he led LGBTQ+ March for Asian Lives and established Queer and Transgender Asian and Pacific Islander (QTAPI) Week recognized statewide. mnguyen4sf.org
Mike Chen, SFDCC, Assembly District 19
SF Democrats for Change Slate. Mike is an organizer and advocate for housing, transportation, urbanism, and good government. He is running for the SFDCCC on a platform to tackle the housing shortage, make government more effective and nimble, and create accountability through metrics and goals. mikechensf.com.
Frances Hsieh, SFDCC, Assembly District 19
Labor & Working Families Slate. Frances has been a labor organizer for over 20 years, serving as an officer with IFPTE Local 21, and SF Labor Council member. She’s been a champion for women, working for NARAL Pro-Choice California. She has been a dedicated advocate for the Asian American community, fighting for leadership opportunities for Asian American government employees.