Read Support Asian American Pacific Islander candidates in the General Election of 2024 now from Blog for Arizona for Politics from a Liberal Viewpoint

As an Asian American Pacific Islander from Hawaii, I am proud to report on the AAPI candidates and politicians in Arizona and to urge support for them in the General Election of 2024.

First off, of course, the most famous AAPI candidate is our Vice President Kamala Harris (D), who is half South Asian American. Her mother emigrated from India. Her younger sister Maya recently campaigned for her in Phoenix. Kamala is now running for US President, and if elected, will be the first woman AAPI President in US history (also first woman elected).

Vice President Kamala Harris takes her official portrait Thursday, March 4, 2021, in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

Another South Asian candidate running in the Arizona General Election is Dr. Amish Shah (D), former Arizona House member for 5 years (then LD 24 and LD 5), running as the Dem nominee in CD 1 against incumbent David Schweikert (R). Dr. Shah is an emergency room physician in Phoenix.

Dr. Amish Shah, former AZ State Representative and CD 1 House Candidate

Here in Southern Arizona, we need to support LD 18 State Senator Priya Sundareshan (D), running unopposed for re-election, and also Dr Ravi Shah, running for re-election for another term on the TUSD Governing Board. They are both South Asian American descendants of immigrants as well. Priya is an environmental law professor at UA and Dr. Ravi Shah is a practicing physician in Tucson. Ravi is in a 5 way race for 3 seats on that non-partisan board, and is not related to Dr. Amish Shah.

Dr. Ravi Shah, TUSD Governing Board member

Currently sitting on the Pima County Board of Supervisors is Dr. Sylvia Lee (Chinese/Japanese/Anglo heritage, D) but she is a one year appointee and not running for election. Sylvia also served for one 6 year term on the Pima Community College Governing Board (District 3). Cat Ripley (half Japanese American) served 2 years on that non-partisan board (District 1). Chinese American Herb Kai currently serves on the Marana Town Council, which is nonpartisan. He is not up for re-election till 2026.

I also know of Arlene Chin (Chinese American) on the Tempe Town Council, but living in Southern Arizona, I don’t know all the Asian American Pacific Islander politicians in Arizona. Arlene is not up for re-election till 2026.

Vote wisely on or before November 5, 2024.