Asian American Grassroots Efforts Lead to Sweeping Down Ballot Wins in Georgia’s Primary Election
ATLANTA -- Today, the Asian American Advocacy Fund (AAAF) announced that five of six AAAF endorsed candidates won their races. The remaining endorsed candidate, Shana V. White for Gwinnett School Board District 3, will head to a runoff. “AAAF’s winning candidates are a signal that Asian American communities are looking for progressive change. The results of the elections clearly show that our communities want leaders who will push back against the status quo and fight for the changes we deserve,” said Aisha Yaqoob Mahmood, Executive Director of AAAF. “All of our endorsed candidates are committed to a just, democratic, and inclusive Georgia where each of our families can thrive,” said Mahmood.
AAAF-endorsed candidates who won their election:
Dr. Tarece Johnson-Morgan - Gwinnett School Board, District 5
Sally Harrell - State Senate District 40
Gabriel Sanchez - State House District 42
Bryce Berry - State House District 56
Marvin Lim - State House District 98
Notably, Senator Harrell has been a vocal defender of democracy, fighting for freedom of speech against harmful House Bill 30 which AAAF’s community members fervently opposed. Gabriel Sanchez, with deep roots in community organizing and a commitment to working families, beat the incumbent for State House District 42. These momentous victories prove that when leaders stand up for their communities, the community will fight for them. Gabriel Sanchez has advocated for voting rights, reproductive justice, housing for all, and LGBTQ+ issues, and if elected this November, he would be the first Latino state representative for the district. Additionally, if elected in the fall, Bryce Berry would be the youngest person ever elected to the Georgia state legislature.
“We are elated to celebrate these wins. We led a comprehensive voter mobilization program during the primaries which reached our communities in a meaningful way. We are incredibly proud of our team who got out the vote for our endorsed candidates,” said Ashna Khanna, Deputy Director of AAAF. During the GA primary election, AAAF deepened this reach and knocked on 7,689 doors, sent 65,587 pieces of mail, made 64,711 calls, and had 3,239 conversations with voters. AAAF also held its first election town hall event of the year, offering community members a space to learn how the Georgia primary election impacts key issues faced by our communities.
AAAF will shift organizing efforts towards Georgia’s primary runoff election to elect Shana V. White for Gwinnett School Board District 3. If elected, she would be the first Black school board member to represent District 3. Gwinnett has the chance to elect Shana to ensure that our communities have a voice on the school board to fight for student success and an educational experience that embraces and respects diverse identities. AAAF’s continued year-round organizing will deepen and strengthen relationships with the Asian American community in Georgia, and continue to mobilize Asian Americans with a comprehensive voter mobilization program into the General Election.
The Asian American Advocacy Fund is a grassroots 501(c)4 social welfare organization dedicated to building a politically-conscious, engaged, and progressive Asian American base in Georgia.
To learn more about AAAF, visit https://www.asianamericanadvocacyfund.org/
The Asian American Advocacy Fund is a grassroots 501(c)4 social welfare organization dedicated to building a politically-conscious, engaged, and progressive Asian American base in Georgia.