This story first appeared in Power Shift, The Yappie's weekly newsletter on national AAPI power, politics, and influence. Subscribe for free here.
In Texas’ House District 112, one center-leaning Asian American lawmaker needs to stay afloat amid frustration with top-of-ticket conservatives.
Incumbent Republican Angie Chen Button faces off against Democrat Zach Herbert, a veteran and attorney. Button, an immigrant from Taiwan, took office in 2009 and quickly developed a reputation as a no-frills legislator.
- “The best way to pass the bill … is to work hard, walk the floor, get your votes,” Button told the Texas Tribune in 2024.
- Her campaign touts tax cuts she helped pass, as well as legislation to raise teacher pay.
Interestingly, she has sought to separate herself from hardline Trumpers like U.S. Senate candidate and former Texas attorney general Ken Paxton, whom she voted to impeach after his staff accused him of corruption.
- She also said she would not vote for Texas Railroad Commissioner candidate Bo French following his inflammatory rhetoric against South Asian students at UT Austin.
Yes, but: Button has faced criticism for lacking transparency and failing to take firmer policy positions, per NBC 5 DFW.
- Herbert has also attacked Button for her support of private school vouchers, which a Houston Chronicle analysis estimated could result in Texas public schools losing $227 million in funding.
- That could land poorly with the many Asian families who moved to the suburban area for its strong public schools. (Her district is about 11% Asian).
Our take: Button’s low-profile, centrist approach to politics mirrors the strategy many Asian Americans have traditionally used to gain their footing in the U.S.
- How Button fares in the coming weeks could signal whether that “keep your head down” persona can continue to help her stay in office.
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