Flushing, Queens
When John Liu moves on from his city council seat in 2009, he will leave behind a new political landscape for future Asian American politicians.
The Flushing Democrat, who chaired the powerful transportation committee during his two terms, is the first Asian American elected to the City Council. He is expected to seek either the city comptroller position or run for Mayor.
Although his seat won’t be open for a year, who will succeed him is the subject of much debate in the community. In Flushing, one of the city’s most heavily Asian communities, many residents would like to see the office remain in Asian American hands. But so far, only one candidate has declared—Constantine Kavadas, a Greek American political novice who is working to persuade the neighborhood’s Asian voters that he can represent them.
“When you walk down the street (in Flushing), it’s 60 percent Asian American,” said 23-year-old Ran Chen, a Flushing resident who prefers another Asian succeed Liu. “They understand our needs and our culture. For Flushing, it’s a very good thing.”
Chen, manager of the Zoni Language Center on Flushing’s Main Street, read that Liu may run for mayor in the “World Journal,” a Chinese-language newspaper, and he plans to donate to his campaign.
“(Liu) is very good, he’s excellent,” said Chen. “Every day I take the commuter bus, and he’s the one that built the station for it.”
Liu’s election in 2000 paved the way for other Asian Americans to run for statewide office.
“More and more it proves that Asians are American,” said State Assemblymember Ellen Young,the first Asian American woman to serve in the New York legislation. Elected in 2006, the Taiwanese immigrant represents Flushing. “ (John Liu and I) both have proved that we can be good legislators.”
Young followed Jimmy Meng, the first Asian American elected to the legislature in 2004. Meng, a businessman who bundled donations for mayoral candidate Alan Hevesi, stepped down from his seat due to health problems. In 2006, Young, a former representative of John Liu, won the election with Liu’s support.
Young, who sponsored four bills that turned into state law, is proud of her two years in the State Assembly, calling them “history in the making.”
“Never before has an Asian American lawmaker seen their bills signed into law in New York,” said Young.
Despite the achievements of Young and Liu, so far no Asian Americans have announced that they are going to run for Liu’s city council seat.
”At this time, it’s a little bit early,” said Young.
Early though it may be one candidate for John Liu’s seat has declared, and that candidate is of Greek ancestry‑Constantine Kavadas, 26 the owner of a food distribution business and a lifelong Flushing resident.
“I am very well-versed with the Asian community in Flushing,” said Kavadas. “I have met literally hundreds of them.”
The son of two Greek immigrants, Kavadas said he has been knocking on doors and attending Asian churches for months. He cited downzoning as an important issue to Asian Americans in Flushing, many of whom feel the restrictions unfairly target Asian businesses.
Kavadas acknowledges he is new to New York City politics but calls himself a quick study, and said he appreciates the contributions Asian Americans make to Flushing.
“Look at the public school grades in this district—it is ridiculous good grades that they get—the district is mostly a majority of Asians, and the grades are like out of this world,” Kavadas said. “It goes back to the parents: the whole country can learn from them. They are focused on their kids and their grades - the main thing is school, school, school.”
One Asian American might run: Grace Meng, daughter of former state assemblyman Jimmy Meng. Grace Meng ran for her father’s seat against Ellen Young, but withdrew from the race after a challenge to her residency in Flushing. Meng has met with many potential candidates, both Asian Americans and non Asian-Americans. When asked, Meng wouldn’t rule out a run.
“It’s definitely crossed my mind,” Meng said. “I, too, haven’t made any final decisions yet.”
It remains to be seen who will compete for Flushing’s City Council seat. Although some say it’s early, 82 candidates citywide have declared their candidacy for 2009 City Council races. In District 19, next to Flushing, four candidates have already declared.
Regardless of who runs, Flushing’s Asian population will be an important constituency in the 2009 election.
Assemblymember Young, though, is one Flushing resident who doesn’t prefer an Asian American for John Liu’s council seat.
“I would like to see any outstanding [public servant]–not based on their race and gender—take that seat,” Young said. “It doesn’t matter if they’re young or old, it doesn’t matter if they’re male or female, it doesn’t matter if they’re Asian or non-Asian.”
Check out the timeline of Asian-American involvement in New York politics below:
