STATEMENT: AAPI Victory Alliance Endorses Trailblazing AAPI Candidates for Pennsylvania Midterms
WASHINGTON — Today, AAPI Victory Alliance announced its slate of endorsements for Pennsylvania’s midterm elections. Among the endorsements are Tarik Khan for Pennsylvania’s District 194, Pennsylvania State Representative Patty Kim for District 103 re-election, and Dr. Arvind Venkat for Pennsylvania’s District 30.
Pennsylvania is one of the key states where AAPIs were the fastest-growing portion of the state’s electorate; in 2020, AAPIs turned out as the margin of victory for President Joe Biden. Despite being the fastest-growing voting group, AAPIs are vastly underrepresented in elected offices, both in Pennsylvania and nationwide. AAPI Victory Alliance aims to change that with these endorsements.
AAPI Victory Alliance Executive Director Varun Nikore issued the following statement:
“AAPI Victory Alliance is honored to endorse Tarik Khan, Patty Kim, and Arvind Venkat, three trailblazing AAPI candidates dedicated to ensuring that historically disenfranchised communities in Pennsylvania have access to healthcare, and social and economic opportunity like all constituents rightfully deserve.”
“Tarik Khan is an exemplary candidate dedicated to protecting his community from restrictions on Pennsylvanians' inalienable rights. As a frontline nurse, Tarik has worked tirelessly to preserve access to reproductive health care, and we are proud to work in tandem to protect and expand the human right to reproductive choice, and freedom.”
“Sworn in as Pennsylvania’s first-ever woman representative in District 103, Patty Kim has taken a commendable people-first approach to public service. Since 2013, Patty has reimagined what the Pennsylvania Legislature can do for its constituency. From restoring public school funding and fighting to increase Pennsylvania’s minimum wage to increasing legislative transparency and societal reintegration opportunity for formerly convicted individuals, Patty never ceases to prioritize the needs of each and every Pennsylvanian.”
“Dr. Arvind Venkat is a highly qualified candidate who has dedicated his time and career to serving his community. With a commitment to building a better future for all of our communities, Dr. Venkat believes in fighting for reproductive rights and liberty, ensuring eligible Pennsylvanians have access to the ballot box, and supporting climate change legislation. We look forward to the great things Dr. Venkat will accomplish in office.”
“I am proud to lead AAPI Victory Alliance in endorsing three candidates who have, and will continue to have, a positive impact on the prosperity of folks in Pennsylvania.”
Pennsylvania State Representative for District 194 Tarik Khan issued the following statement:
“I am extremely honored to be endorsed by AAPI Victory Alliance as I run to become Pennsylvania’s State Representative for District 194. As a frontline health care worker, I have seen firsthand the devastating impact disparities to access have on marginalized communities across Pennsylvania. Access to critical health care should be equitable, and I will work to ensure that it is.”
Pennsylvania State Representative Patty Kim for District 103 Re-election issued the following statement:
“I am proud to be endorsed by AAPI Victory Alliance as I run for re-election in Pennsylvania District 103. Throughout my time as a public servant, I have seen extreme economic disparities, and have witnessed Pennsylvanians struggle to make ends meet because of unlivable wages. That’s why I supported—and helped enact—minimum wage legislation, and why I work every day to increase government transparency and hold our state legislature accountable.”
Pennsylvania State House Representative Dr. Arvind Venkat for District 30 issued the following statement:
“I am pleased to earn the endorsement of AAPI Victory Alliance as I run for Representative of Pennsylvania’s State House District 30. As someone who has dedicated my life and career as an ER doc to giving back to my community, I know we have a lot of work to do to create a future where everyone is protected and prospers. As a State Representative, I will continue this work to ensure all Pennsylvanians have equitable access to affordable healthcare, the ballot box, and a brighter tomorrow.”
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AAPI Victory Alliance works to build Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) political power across the country by providing education on progressive issues; creating and advocating for policies that affect our communities; and building alliances with organizations to help AAPIs exert their power and be the margin of victory at the local, state, and national levels.