They Call Us Bruce 176: They Call Us Jay Chen

Jeff Yang and Phil Yu present an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America.



What's up, podcast listeners? We've got another episode of our podcast They Call Us Bruce. (Almost) each week, my good friend, writer/columnist Jeff Yang and I host an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America, with a strong focus on media, entertainment and popular culture.

In this episode, we welcome Jay Chen, who is running for the U.S. House of Representatives in California’s congressional 45th district. He talks about why his Daily Show appearance from 2010 still weirdly remains relevant, his opponent’s increasingly shameless xenophobic and red-baiting attacks, and the benefit of running for congress in a super-Asian district that has so many incredible food options.

Yuh-Line Niou Announces Run for New York State Senator

Manhattan Assemblywoman will challenge fellow Democrate Brian Kavanaugh in June 2022 primary.



Manhattan Assemblywoman Yuh-Line Niou has officially announced that she will challenge a fellow Democrat, Brian Kavanagh, in next year's June primary for New York state senator.

If Niou wins the election, she plans to promote post-COVID economic recovery that doesn't leave behind traditionally underrepresented communities, including working-class, minority and immigrant sectors.

"As we start down the long road to recovery, it is more important than ever to ensure communities share equally in that recovery," Niou tells the New York Daily News. "It isn't enough for things to return to a prepandemic 'normal.' We must learn from history and build a city and a state that is more equitable, safer and more inclusive than it was before. That's why I'm running for the state Senate."

"What we saw... was not a protest, it was an attempted coup"

And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America



U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth Speaks Out Against Trump Demonstrators
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth spoke out against President Donald Trump and the demonstrators that forced their way into the U.S. Capitol building Wednesday: "What we saw today was not a protest, it was an attempted coup. I refuse to let anyone intent on instigating chaos or inciting violence deter me from carrying out my Constitutional duties. Congress must continue its work certifying the results of the election and turn the page on this shameful chapter in our history. It is the only way to inch closer to healing our nation."

* * *

After 5 hours I’ve been rescued from my hiding place. Now i can show you my DIY barricade and gas masks. Protestors were right outside the door chanting ‘USA USA’ it was scary but i am ok! Thanks all for your prayers. pic.twitter.com/OX3rfM35zH

— Grace Meng (@Grace4NY) January 6, 2021

Rep. Grace Meng Shows Where She Hid Amid Violent US Capitol Protests
As the U.S. Capitol was stormed by a mob of pro-Trump protesters, New York congresswoman Grace Meng took cover for hours in a room that was barricaded shut with office chairs while rioters stormed outside. "After 5 hours I've been rescued from my hiding place. Now i can show you my DIY barricade and gas masks," wrote Rep. Meng. "Protestors were right outside the door chanting 'USA USA' it was scary but i am ok! Thanks all for your prayers."

* * *

I can't contain my rage at Donald Trump and Republicans who invited, incited, and fueled this terror. Our country and our democracy will have to recover from these deep wounds—and it won't be easy.

Thanks to everyone for your prayers and thoughts for our safety and for America.

— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) January 6, 2021

'I was closing my eyes and praying'
As pro-Trump mobs stormed the United States Capitol on Wednesday, forcing the building into a lockdown, U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal crouched behind a railing in the House gallery, seeking shelter from a scene that more closely resembled a terrorist attack than a peaceful transfer of power.

* * *

Now is the time for @VP @Mike_Pence to start the 25th Amendment process. https://t.co/GQ0NXhyAK9

— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) January 6, 2021

Rep. Ted Lieu calls for Trump's immediate removal from office
When Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol building, California Rep. Ted Lieu tweeted that he was evacuated from the building, and called the events a coup attempt. He is calling for the immediate removal of the president. "This assault on our nation's Capitol is a coup attempt and all those involved should be prosecuted as such," he wrote. "Also, for those Dems saying we shouldn't impeach @realDonaldTrump again? You are wrong."

* * *


Rising number of Democrats call for Trump impeachment
Rep. Judy Chu joined calls for impeachment, telling Politico that Trump's "actions qualify for treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors. I really question, actually, President Trump's mental state," Chu said. "If I were a member of the Cabinet, I would invoke the 25th Amendment to remove him."

Underdog candidate makes history with Ohio State Senate win

Tina Maharath is the first Lao American state senator in the United States.



Another close race, another historic election win. On Tuesday in Ohio, Democratic candidate Tina Maharath was officially declared the winner over state Rep. Anne Gonzalez in the State Senate race for District 3.

Democratic underdog Tina Maharath wins Ohio Senate seat

Maharath's victory not only makes her Ohio's first Asian American state senator and first Asian American woman in the general assembly, she is the first Lao American state senator in the United States.

She was, by most accounts, a political underdog. Maharath, a 27-year-old financial analyst with no prior campaign experience, was up against a veteran Republican lawmaker for a GOP-held Senate seat. But after all the provisional and absentee ballots were counted, Maharath edged out Gonzalez by just 705 votes.

TJ Cox declares victory in the last undecided House race

The 116th U.S. Congress will include 20 AAPI members -- the most ever.



More than three weeks after election day, we have a winner.

In California's 21st Congressional District, TJ Cox defeated three-term Republican Rep. David Valadao on Wednesday, giving Democrats a gain of seven House seats in the state and 40 nationwide.

Cox is only one of two Filipino Americans currently elected to the House of Representatives. Meanwhile, in New Jersey's 3rd District, Andy Kim became only the second ever Korean American elected to the House. Their victories, along with Michael San Nicolas' victory for Guam's delegate representative, solidifies a historic number of AAPI members in Congress.

The 116th United States Congress will include 20 AAPI members -- the most ever.

Michigan legislator apologizes for calling Asian American opponent racial slurs

State Rep. Bettie Cook Scott referred to state Rep. Stephanie Chang as "ching-chong."



In Michigan, amid mounting backlash, a state legislator has apologized for "disparaging remarks" -- for the record, she means racial slurs -- that she made against an Asian American opponent for state Senate.

Detroit Rep. Bettie Cook Scott on Asian opponent: 'Don't vote for the ching-chong!'

During a recent Democratic primary, Michigan state Rep. Bettie Cook Scott reportedly referred to her opponent, state Rep. Stephanie Chang, as "ching chong," and called members of Chang's staff "ching chongs."

"Vote for me. Don't vote for the ching-chang!" witnesses overheard Scott telling voters during the August 7 primary election for District 1. She also reportedly called Chang's campaign volunteers "ching-chongs," saying "I called them ching-chongs. That's what they are!"

Well, that's just some good, old-fashioned racist schoolyard name-calling. But wait, there's more.

At an earlier campaign stop, Scott called one of Chang's campaign volunteers an "immigrant," saying "you don't belong here" and "I want you out of my country." Later, she was overheard telling a voter "these immigrants from China are coming over and taking our community from us." Further, she said it "disgusts" her "seeing Black people holding signs for these Asians and not supporting their own people."

When all else fails, racism and xenophobia are a tried and true political strategy.

They Call Us Bruce - Episode 42: They Call Us John Chiang

Jeff Yang and Phil Yu present an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America.



What's up, podcast listeners? We've got another episode of our podcast They Call Us Bruce. Each week, my good friend, writer/columnist Jeff Yang and I host an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America, with a strong focus on media, entertainment and popular culture.

On this episode, we welcome California State Treasurer and gubernatorial candidate John Chiang. He talks about his reputation as the so-called "no drama" candidate, how family tragedy informed his passion for public service, and the Good, Bad and WTF of running for Governor of California.

They Call Us Bruce - Episode 41: They Call Us Jane Kim

Jeff Yang and Phil Yu present an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America.



What's up, podcast listeners? We've got another episode of our podcast They Call Us Bruce. Each week, my good friend, writer/columnist Jeff Yang and I host an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America, with a strong focus on media, entertainment and popular culture.

On this episode, we welcome our friend, San Francisco Supervisor Jane Kim to talk about her bid for mayor. They discuss the city's hotly contested sprint to election day, the issues that divide and unite us, and the Good, Bad and WTF of running for Mayor of San Francisco.

Jane Kim called racial slur at mayoral candidate event

Video shows protestor calling the San Francisco supervisor a "skinny-ass rice-eating motherfucker."



In San Francisco, a mayoral candidate meet-and-greet ended abruptly when protestors interrupted the event and shouted racial slurs at Supervisor Jane Kim, calling her a "skinny-ass rice-eating motherfucker."

VIDEO: Racial slur yelled at SF Mayoral candidate Jane Kim

The incident, caught on Facebook Live video, occurred during a joint campaign event hosted by Kim and Mark Leno in the Fillmore district on Saturday. Kim had just finished speaking about affordable housing in the city when protestors -- apparently supporters of candidate London Breed -- crashed the proceedings.

The video shows an audience member interrupting the Q&A, demanding why Supervisor Breed wasn't invited to the event. Things quickly go off the rails as others join in the shouting, until that first gentleman (who appears to be chomping on some grapes?!) yells "You got this skinny-ass rice-eating motherfucker coming in here" -- referring, of course, to the Asian American candidate -- "what's she going to do in Fillmore?"

Yeah, I think this event is over. The shouting begins around the five-minute mark:

Jane Kim is running for Mayor of San Francisco

Supervisor throws her hat into the mayoral race after the passing of Ed Lee.



From SFGate: San Francisco Supervisor Jane Kim signaled her intent to enter the 2018 mayoral race Wednesday, requesting nomination papers from the city’s Department of Elections.

Kim, a stalwart progressive as a supervisor, has long been rumored to be considering a bid for the mayor's office. She was first elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2010.

She and any other candidates eyeing a run for mayor have until Jan. 9 to file the necessary paperwork. Though any number of people may take out the papers to run, none of them are official candidates until those nomination papers are returned.

More here: Supervisor Jane Kim takes first step to run for SF mayor

Hawaii's House Republican Leader Says She Was Ousted Over Women's March

Hawaii State Rep. Beth Fukumoto is exploring possibly switching parties.



State Rep. Beth Fukumoto is exploring a possible switch from the Republican to the Democratic Party in Hawaii, after her stance against President Trump prompted her colleagues to vote her out as their minority leader, a post she had held since her election in 2012.

Fukumoto said her fellow Republicans ousted her "because she participated in the women's march protesting the Trump presidency," reports Wayne Yoshioka of member station Hawaii Public Radio.

Read more: Hawaii's House Republican Leader Says She Was Ousted Over Women's March

Illinois Senator mocks Tammy Duckworth's family heritage

"I'd forgotten that your parents came all the way from Thailand to serve George Washington."



Rep. Tammy Duckworth is a congresswoman, war veteran, and candidate for the U.S. Senate in Illinois. She is a dedicated public servant and trailblazer by all accounts. So, of course, as an Asian American woman, she would be attacked by an entitled white politician trying to cast doubt on her military and ethnic heritage.

Sen. Mark Kirk questions opponent's American heritage in Illinois debate

Duckworth is seeking to unseat Republican Senator Mark Kirk. On Thursday night during the Illinois senate debate, Duckworth mentioned her family's history of military service.

"My family has served this nation in uniform, going back to the Revolution," Duckworth said. "I'm a Daughter of the American Revolution. I've bled for this nation. But I still want to be there in the Senate when the drums of war sound. Because people are quick to sound the drums of war, and I want to be there to say this is what it costs, this is what you're asking us to do... Families like mine are the ones that bleed first."

Kirk responded with a snarky dig at Duckworth's heritage: "I'd forgotten that your parents came all the way from Thailand to serve George Washington." The implication: how could a woman who looks like you have any sort of connection to something so purely American as the Revolutionary War?

Well, allow Tammy to explain.

Watch Judy Chu and a squad of AAPIs reppin' at the DNC

Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus take the stage in support of Hillary Clinton.



On Wednesday, if you were watching the proceedings at the Democratic National Convention, you may have seen a squad of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders take the stage, repping the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and talking about their support for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

Rep. Judy Chu, Chair of CAPAC, recalled that there was a time, not too long ago, that seeing an Asian face in the U.S. Capitol was a rare sight. But there are now a record number of API members of Congress.

"We have gone from being marginalized to becoming the margin of victory in key swing states and districts all across our nation," Chu said. "America needs a president who will fight for us. Someone who rejects the hateful rhetoric too often used to divide us and believes that America's diversity is our greatest strength. That is why we've got to elect Hillary Clinton as our next President of the United States."

Chu highlighted how CAPAC's membership includes Rep. Doris Matsui and Rep. Mike Honda, who both spent part of their childhoods incarcerated in internment camps as Japanese Americans -- a dark chapter of our country's history that Donald Trump doesn't seem to have any problem with. The congresswoman also paid tribute to the late congressman Mark Takai, who died last week after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

The Nefarious Chinese Are Taking Over American Farms!

...according to this xenophobic Missouri political ad.



Well, this is... unsurprising. We are now in the muckiest thick of election season, so you know what that means. Blame China! For everything. In a fairly typical move out the campaign playbook, this racist, xenophobic, fear-mongering political ad for Missouri's state attorney general race goes there, with America's farms at stake.

The subtitled 30-second spot features a rather nefarious-looking Chinese businessman bragging to another in Mandarin about how he was able to buy a Missouri farm after state senator Kurt Schaefer, a Republican candidate for attorney general, helped changed a state law allowing foreign ownership of farms.

"Now we own thousands of acres in Missouri," the businessman says, arms raised, "and can buy more."

Take a look:

Kamala Harris finishes first in California Senate primary

State Attorney General will run against Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez in historic November faceoff.



On Tuesday, California primary voters propelled two Democrats -- both minority women -- to a historic runoff. State attorney general Kamala Harris will face off against Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez on the November ballot for the state's open U.S. Senate seat.

Senate candidates Kamala Harris, Loretta Sanchez advance to general election

Harris, the clear front runner, clinched a first-place finish with 40 percent of the vote, emerging from a field of 34 candidates seeking the seat being vacated by retiring Senator Barbara Boxer. Early returns showed Sanchez, a 10-term congresswoman from Orange County, securing second place.

Under California election rules, only two candidates -- the top vote-getters, regardless of party -- advance to the November election. The matchup between Harris and Sanchez will mark the first time in over a century that Republicans will be absent from California's general election ballot for the Senate.

Uninvited candidate interrupts mayoral debate on live TV

Tulsa mayoral candidate Paul Tay will not "step off," calls out "Matt Damon."



Don't be telling me local politics are boring. Last week in Oklahoma, things got heated during a mayoral candidate debate in Tulsa when an uninvited candidate crashed the proceedings on live television.

On Wednesday night, perennial Tulsa mayoral candidate Paul Tay interrupted a live public television broadcast debate between incumbent Dewey Bartlett and challenger G.T. Bynum at Rogers State University. As closing statements were about to begin, Tay stepped in front of TV cameras, introduced himself as also a candidate and said that "other voices" were being silenced. He was then asked to step off the stage.

"I will not step off. I WILL NOT STEP OFF!" he said. "You have blocked me one too many times. You have blocked me. You have blocked other candidates one too many times. I'm tired of it."

The outburst quickly devolved into an unintentional comedy sketch featuring an Asian man in a cowboy hat, the mayor calling 911 on his cell phone and, um, Matt Damon, sort of, entering the fray.

Here's the video:

Rep. Mark Takai will not seek re-election due to cancer

Hawaii Congressman was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year.



U.S. Rep. Mark Takai has announced that he will not seek a second term in Congress due to health problems.

Takai, who represents Hawaii's 1st district, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year. He had planned to fight the cancer while running for re-election, but recently learned the disease had spread.

US Rep. Mark Takai will not seek re-election due to cancer

"Right now, for the sake of my family, I need to focus on getting better rather than getting re-elected," Takai said in a statement Thursday. "Although I will not be running for re-election, I intend to serve out the remainder of my term in Congress. There is still much work that I am determined to see through for Hawaii and our nation over the next few months."

John Chiang is running for Governor of California

State Treasurer officially launches campaign for the Golden State's top job.



It's official. John Chiang is running for governor of California. The state treasurer announced Tuesday that he has filed paperwork with the Secretary of State to allow him to raise funds for a gubernatorial run in 2018.

John Chiang jumps into California's 2018 governor's race

"As your next Governor, I have a blueprint for expanding and renewing the California dream through fixing our crumbling infrastructure, making retirement security our generation's call to arms, and rebuilding California's middle class through better jobs and improved educational opportunities," Chiang said.

The announcement wasn't much of a surprise to California's political observers. Chiang has been saying for months that he was "strongly leaning towards running" for governor. Starting today, no more leaning.

Chiang made the announcement on Facebook and Twitter:

Supervisor Jane Kim kicks ass in the baddest political ad

Jane Kim is running for California State Senate. And she will fight for you.



Our friend, San Francisco Supervisor Jane Kim, is running for California State Senate. She recently dropped this rad political ad where she trades in her stilettos for a taekwondo gi and shows off her badass black belt skills. The former school board president is currently the District 6 supervisor, representing the Tenderloin, SoMa and Treasure Island neighborhoods, where she fights for affordable housing, safe schools and more.

Check it out:

Michelle Wu elected Boston City Council President

Wu is the first Asian American and third woman in history to hold the seat.



In Boston, the City Council voted unanimously Monday afternoon to elect at-large councilor Michelle Wu its next president, making her the first Asian American and third woman in history to hold the seat.

Michelle Wu elected president of Boston City Council in landmark vote

Wu, 30, was first elected to Boston City Council At-Large in 2013, becoming the first Chinese American and first Asian American woman to serve on the council, as well as the youngest current member. She was re-elected to an at-large seat in November.

On Monday, Wu was voted Boston City Council President by the 13-member council. She replaces South Boston Councilor Bill Linehan, who was term limited from seeking the body's presidency again.