West
Chinese Americans turn on San Francisco Democrats over crime, education: WSJ
Many Chinese Americans have signaled that they could be done with progressive candidates in San Francisco ahead of upcoming elections.
Several local positions are up for grabs this November, including mayor, city Attorney, district attorney, sheriff and four seats on the Board of Education. While Chinese Americans have previously been a reliable voting bloc for Democrats, many are spearheading or supporting efforts to return to the political center over issues like crime and education.
The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday, “Members of the Chinese community, who make up one-fifth of this city of 810,000 and a slightly smaller percentage of registered voters, say they have been particularly incensed by incidents of anti-Asian violence, school policies they believe have emphasized equity over merit, and street homelessness. Many are also upset that property crime has long been higher in San Francisco than most other major cities, though it has dropped this year.”
San Francisco State University associate professor of political science Jason McDaniel warned that the Chinese American demographic “is a community that can determine the outcome of elections” as incumbent Mayor London Breed seeks to defend her seat.
SAN FRANCISCO APOLOGIZES FOR HISTORICAL ANTI-ASIAN RACISM; 4TH CALIFORNIA CITY TO DO SO
Things began to change for Chinese Americans years earlier during the pandemic.
“Many Chinese American voters grew angry at the political establishment during the pandemic, when prolonged school closures and a move away from merit-based admissions at one elite high school incensed families who put an emphasis on education,” the Wall Street Journal noted.
The frustration escalated with the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes. Many Chinese Americans took part in the recall efforts against District Attorney Chesa Boudin, accusing him of ignoring their community. One particularly incendiary turning point came in 2021 when Boudin remarked that 19-year-old Antoine Watson was “in some sort of a temper tantrum” when he allegedly attacked and killed 84-year-old Thai immigrant Vichar Ratanapakdee.
“I think that was the straw that broke the camel’s back,” Garret Tom, a former San Francisco deputy police chief, said, according to WSJ.
WSJ reported that Chinese Americans voted in support of the Boudin recall, as well as the ousting of three school board members, on average 10 to 30 points higher than the overall voter population, according to one analysis. Some have indicated that they may be turning their eyes to the mayor’s seat.
SAN FRANCISCO DA CHESA BOUDIN SUED FOR TURNING BACK ON ASIAN ATTACK VICTIM AS ANTI-AAPI HATE CRIMES SOAR 567%
“I voted for London Breed, I loved her story, but at some point I have to take a look at the state of her city,” Boudin recall leader and mayoral candidate Mark Farrell campaign manager Jade Tu said. “There is a lot wrong with this city.”
A San Francisco Chronicle poll in February found that 80% of likely Asian voters disapproved of Breed’s performance. Two of her challengers each received 17% support, with Breed only at 10%.
Read the full article from Here
San Francisco, CA
Friday afternoon First Alert Weather forecast 5/3/24
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
Denver, CO
Denver celebrates Randy Gradishar Day, Denver Broncos Hall of Famer gives speech
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
Seattle, WA
Byron Murphy II, Seattle Seahawks Agree to Terms on Rookie Contract
Coinciding with his team debut on the practice field during rookie minicamp, the Seattle Seahawks and Byron Murphy II have agreed to terms on a four-year contract with a fifth-year option.
Per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, per slotted value for NFL draft picks, Murphy’s rookie deal will be worth $16.08 million and Seattle will have the option to pick up his fifth-year option before the 2027 season. He becomes the first member of the Seahawks latest draft class to sign the dotted line.
Earning All-American and All-Big 12 honors as a junior at Texas, Murphy broke out as one of the most disruptive interior defenders in college football last season, helping guide the Longhorns to a College Football Playoff berth. He finished with 29 tackles, five sacks, and 8.5 tackles for loss while ranking in the top five among defensive linemen in quarterback pressures, pass rush win rate, and pass rush productivity rating according to Pro Football Focus.
Viewed as one of the top defenders in this year’s draft class, the Seahawks didn’t expect Murphy to be available when they were on the clock with the 16th overall selection. However, thanks to a historic start to the draft where 14 consecutive offensive players, including six quarterbacks, were selected to open the first round, he fell into their lap once the Colts chose UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu.
Even with other teams inquiring with what general manager John Schneider called “strong” trade offers and the Seahawks lacking a second-round selection, Murphy’s talent and upside proved too good to pass up and they quickly submitted his name as the choice.
Looking every bit like a blue-chip first-round pick at the VMAC on Friday, the powerful, athletic 297-pound Murphy will immediately be thrust into the competition for snaps in a veteran-laden defensive line headlined by Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed, and Dre’Mont Jones. While he’s expected to primarily play the 3-tech/4i defensive tackle role, he played nose tackle at Texas and also has the positional versatility to slide outside as a big 5-tech defensive end, so he could be moved around.
By signing Murphy just one week after drafting him, the Seahawks won’t have to worry about negotiations on offsetting money and signing bonus payout as they did last year when top-five pick Devon Witherspoon held out the first two days of training camp before eventually signing. With his contract signed, sealed, and delivered, the focus can shift to locking up the rest of their draft class and making corresponding moves to create enough cap space to do so.
-
News1 week ago
Larry Webb’s deathbed confession solves 2000 cold case murder of Susan and Natasha Carter, 10, whose remains were found hours after he died
-
World1 week ago
Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns, transitional council takes power
-
News1 week ago
First cargo ship passes through new channel since Baltimore bridge collapse
-
World1 week ago
Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez suspends public duties to 'reflect'
-
World1 week ago
US secretly sent long-range ATACMS weapons to Ukraine
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago
Humane (2024) – Movie Review
-
News1 week ago
American Airlines passenger alleges discrimination over use of first-class restroom
-
Education1 week ago
Video: Johnson Condemns Pro-Palestinian Protests at Columbia University