WASHINGTON — A record 346 Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AA & NH/PI) candidates ran for state and federal office, including in U.S. territories, in the 2022 election cycle. Every year, APAICS builds a comprehensive database of candidates through its AA & NH/PI Candidate Pipeline where it monitors general election results for state and federal elections across the nation. The Pipeline also includes information about AA & NH/PI candidates who ran at the state level.
APAICS President and CEO Madalene Xuan-Trang Mielke release the following statement:
“APAICS applauds all of the AA & NH/PI candidates who ran this cycle, many of whom are first-time candidates. As the fastest-growing electorate in the United States, it is wonderful to see the continued growth of the number of AA & NH/PI candidates making the brave decision to run for public office.
“Many of the AA & NH/PI candidates who won their respective elections are the first in our community to serve in that capacity including Aruna Miller who was elected as the first South Asian American Lieutenant Governor in the nation, and Nabilah Islam who was elected as the first Bangladeshi American woman in the Georgia State Senate. Unfortunately, AAs & NH/PIs are still grossly underrepresented across the country. APAICS will continue to offer resources, training and community for those interested in pursuing public office so one day we will no longer need to break barriers for representation.”
APAICS’s AA & NH/PI Candidate Pipeline Findings
Federal Elections - 76 candidates and 3 candidates in U.S. territories ran for election
17 candidates won and 3 candidates won in U.S. territories
1 Senator was re-elected to the U.S. Senate
16 Representatives and 3 Delegates were elected to the U.S. House of Representatives
1 Senator, 8 Representatives and 1 Delegate elected are women
Statewide Elections - 17 candidates and 2 candidates in U.S. territories ran for election
8 candidates won and 1 candidate won in a U.S. territory
1 candidate was re-elected as Governor in a U.S. territory
2 candidates were elected as Lieutenant Governors
3 candidates were re-elected as Attorney Generals
1 candidate was re-elected as Secretary of State
2 candidates were re-elected as State Treasurer
4 candidates elected are women and 1 candidate in a U.S. territory that was elected is a woman
State Elections - 244 candidates and 4 candidates in U.S. territories
132 candidates won and 4 candidates won in U.S. territories
84 candidates elected are women and 4 candidates in U.S. territories elected are women
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The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) is a national non-partisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting Asian Pacific American participation and representation at all levels of the political process, from community service to elected office.