STATEMENT: Untapped AAPI Voters in Alaska Can Be Margin of Victory in 2024 Elections

New Strategic Partnership to Build Political Power and Engage Alaska’s AAPI Population

WASHINGTON — Today, AAPI Victory Alliance (AAPI VA) issued a statement to announce its upcoming collaboration to build political power and strengthen voter engagement among Alaska’s Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. With 40,000 eligible AAPI voters in Alaska making up 7.5 percent of the state’s electorate, untapped AAPIs can be the margin of victory for any local or state race, especially going into the 2024 elections. AAPI Victory Alliance’s new strategic partnership aims to engage these voters and increase AAPI turnout in Alaska.

AAPI Victory Alliance Executive Director, Varun Nikore, issued the following statement:

“Today, I am thrilled to announce AAPI Victory Alliance’s upcoming partnership with Rise AAPI Alaska, a project of the Alaska Center. This partnership is yet another way that AAPI Victory Alliance is expanding our existing network of partners  dedicated to engaging AAPI communities all across the country. Through this collaboration, we will provide mentorship, coaching and technical support for Rise AAPI Alaska to build power and to initiate civic engagement activities in Alaska to expand the number of AAPI engaged with their communities.

“We at AAPI Victory Alliance know that investment in AAPI communities is subpar and not well understood given the multitude of ethnicities, languages and experiences our diverse communities represent. Our hope is that this partnership will bring us one step closer to increasing AAPI turnout in Alaska, and communities across the country.”

Rise AAPI Alaska Board Chair, Evelyn Abello issued the following statement:

“As a Filipino American who has made Alaska my home for almost 5 decades and where I have built a long career in public service, I am  proud to be the first board chair for Rise AAPI Alaska.  Alaska is home to many AAPIs and we have put down roots that will flourish and thrive like Rise AAPI Alaska.  I look forward to working with the AAPI Victory Alliance to build infrastructure in our community so that our voices are finally heard!”

Alaska State Senator Scott Kawasaki issued the following statement: 

“Rise AAPI Alaska could not have come at a better time.  As an Asian American who has dedicated nearly 25 years of my life to public service, I know just how important an initiative like Rise AAPI Alaska is. Our AAPI communities are at an inflection point, and this is the kind of investment that has been needed for years to support civic engagement here.”

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