By Raven Tyson
Special to ASIA

With election campaigning coming down to the final few days, several local candidates thought it important to spend time with the Asian Pacific Islander community last weekend  by attending a "meet and greet" breakfast sponsored by the San Diego Alliance for Asian Pacific Islander Americans.
The event, hosted by ASIA, The Journal of Culture and Commerce office, in front of the newspaper office on Mission Gorge Road, brought together candidates in most races, from Congress to local school boards.

The event was co-sponsored by the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), the Vietnamese American Youth Alliance, the Vietnamese Community of San Diego and the Vietnamese Federation of San Diego. The breakfast forum was the only gathering during the campaign that brought together leaders from throughout the pan-Asian community in San Diego.
 After a half-hour of networking, candidates were given five minutes each to outline their platforms, then fielded questions from the audience and emcees, JoAnn Fields, NaFFAA chairperson, and Len Novarro, ASIA co-publisher.
Susan Davis, the U.S. representative for the 53rd district, who is running for re-election, said it's important that all communities, including APIAs, know that she is responsible and accountable to them. Davis also discussed an issue important to the API community – the treatment of war veterans. She said that she knows that Filipinos weren't treated fairly after World War II and that Asians serving in Iraq won't be subjected to the same treatment.
Chula Vista mayoral candidate Cheryl Cox said she found the time to attend because of the democratic format of voting process, which she explained is best utilized by well-informed voters. She said it's important for candidates to interact with voters.
"We made sure we were at this event," Cox said. Her opponent, incumbent Steve Padilla, was scheduled to appear but had a last-minute commitment.
Cox, addressing a question about increasing ethnic businesses in Chula Vista, said she would work to make sure that development and redevelopment opportunities were available. She also added that cooperation was needed by both sides to succeed.

Maxine Sherard, candidate for State Assembly 78th District, said that the people deserve good representation who not only knows the people, but how to get things done, as well. Her opponent, incumbent Shirley Horton, was invited but did not show up.
Other candidates for the State Assembly, including the 76th District's Lori Saldana and Ralph Denney, lobbied voters with their platforms. Saldana, the incumbent, said she is proud to represent such a diverse area. To increase APIA participation on boards and committees, Saldana said she would attend Asian Business Association meetings, in addition to networking in the community, to make sure that anyone who is interested receives the necessary information. Denney said that he would be in the district whenever possible and continue his district walks even after the election. He said he would encourage meetings with all ethnic groups and make it a point to talk to the voters.
Saldana and Denney did agree on the importance of the API voter. Saldana said that it's important for the API community to be an informed voter and utilize their right to vote. Denney said that it's also important that candidates attend all possible events to meet the voters.

Also in attendance was State Senate 40th District candidate David Walden, Chula Vista City Council candidate Patty Chavez, National City mayoral candidates Alejandra Sotelo-Solis and Pearl Quinones, Superior Court candidate Rod Shelton, Sweetwater Union High School District Board candidate Arlie Ricasa, San Diego Unified School District candidates Michael McSweeney and Katherine Nakamura, Southwestern Community College Board candidate Yolanda Salcedo and Chula Vista Elementary School District Board candidates Tamera Arce, Russell Coronado and Steve Yagyagan.