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? TRACKER—WHO HAS PAC BACKING? 2021 was an unusually busy year for AAPI political action committees, but even more vigorous efforts are now underway to prepare for this year’s pricey midterm elections, The Yappie’s Andrew Peng notes.
- The money: The progressive PAC CAPA21 recently revealed that it had already raised $200,000 to bolster congressional candidates after “channeling” more than $150,000 into Georgia last year. The AAPI Victory Fund announced in June that it was prepared to spend millions of dollars to mobilize voters in Texas across multiple cycles.
- The candidates: Multiple groups have their sights on California, where nearly a third of Asian Americans reside. ASPIRE PAC, the political arm of Congress’ AAPI caucus, and the Asian American Action Fund have already thrown their support behind Jay Chen (D), who is facing incumbent Rep. Michelle Steel (R-California). PACs who praised Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) for appointing Rob Bonta as the state’s attorney general will likely put money into the Filipino American’s 2022 race as well.
- Aside from Chen and Bonta, early indicators suggest the PACs will be more focused on preserving Democrats’ fragile control of Congress. CAPA21 has said that it will prioritize Senate races in Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, and Pennsylvania, while the AAPI Victory Fund has endorsed Indian American House hopefuls Nida Allam and Kesha Ram Hinsdale.
- Psst… Do you know of any conservative AAPI PACs and what they’re up to? Drop a note to [email protected].
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