As we close out Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month and head into this critical primary election season, I want to remind all of us why our voices matter now more than ever.
This country was built by working families, immigrants, and communities from every culture and background. While we proudly celebrate the contributions of Asian Pacific Islanders this month, our fight has always been bigger than one community. It is about standing up for all working people, all immigrants, and every family striving for dignity, opportunity, and respect.
That is why we must continue to organize, speak up, and show up. NOT ONLY at the ballot box, but also in our workplaces and our union.
Our union, SEIU, has proudly endorsed API candidates through COPE (Committee on Political Education) funds, who are leading with courage, compassion, and a commitment to working people across this country. These leaders understand the struggles our communities face because they come from the communities they serve.
One important reminder: there are currently no API U.S. Senators up for election in the 2026 cycle. That makes these congressional, state, and local races even more important in shaping the future of our communities.
We are proud to support API incumbents continuing the fight for workers and families:
- Pramila Jayapal (WA-7) – https://www.pramilaforcongress.com/ – previously endorsed by Locals 6 and 775
- Bobby Scott (VA-3) – https://www.bobbyscottforcongress.com/ – previously endorsed by Local 512 and 32BJ
- Derek Tran (CA-45) – https://www.derektranforcongress.com/ – previously endorsed by SEIU-UHW
- Dave Min (CA-47) – https://www.davemin.com/ – previously endorsed by SEIU California State Council
- Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) – https://stricklandforwashington.com/ – previously endorsed by SEIU 775 and SEIU 6
- Hanadi Nadeem (NV Assembly AD-14) – https://hanadinadeem.com/ – endorsed by SEIU 1107
- Vandana Slatter (WA State Senate LD-48) – https://vandanaslatter.com/ – endorsed by Locals 6 and 775
- Grace Lee (NY Assembly AD-65) – https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Grace-Lee/about/ – endorsed by 1199
- Grace Meng (NY-6) – https://meng.house.gov/ – endorsed by Local 32BJ
And we are excited to support newer API candidates stepping forward to lead:
- Richard Pan (CA-6) – https://drpanforcongress.com/ – endorsed by SEIU-UHW
- Dr. Jasmeet Bains (CA-22) – https://www.drjasmeetbains.com/ – currently endorsed by SEIU 721
- Connie Chan (CA-11) – https://www.conniechansf.com/ – endorsed by SEIU California
- Dan Koh (MA-6) – https://www.kohforcongress.com/endorsements – endorsed by NAGE SEIU Local 5000
- Paul Seo (California State Assembly) – https://www.paulseo.com/ – endorsed by SEIU California
- Pooja Sethi (Texas House HD-47) – https://www.poojafortexas.com/ – endorsed by SEIU Texas
- Jane Kim (Insurance Commissioner) – https://www.janekim.org – endorsed by SEIU California
- Aisha Wahab (CA-14) – https://www.aishawahab.com – endorsed by SEIU California
But our power does not stop at elections. Real change also happens when union members get involved in our contract negotiations, stay informed, and take collective action to protect what working families deserve.
We must continue fighting for strong pensions, affordable healthcare, living wages, safe workplaces, and the respect every worker deserves on the job. These protections were not simply given to us, they were won because workers stood together, organized together, and REFUSED TO STAY SILENT.
So I encourage everyone: stay informed, get involved, volunteer, talk to your coworkers and neighbors, participate in our union actions, and most importantly…VOTE!
When working people stand together, we create change. When our communities are represented, our voices are heard. And when WE ORGANIZE, WE WIN!!!