In 2018, the U.S. Census Bureau announced more than 4 million of the 325 million people living in the United States were Filipino (1.2% of the overall population). Yet, Filipinos are severely underrepresented in elected positions at every level of government; for the U.S. Congress to be truly representative, there should be at least 6 Filipino-American members of Congress.
Filipino American officials that were re-elected to their respective offices included U.S. Representative Bobby Scott of Virginia (VA-03), Attorney General Sean Reyes of Utah, State Assemblymember Rob Bonta and Alameda Vice Mayor Malia Vella of California, State Senators Gilbert Keith Agaran, Joy San Buenaventura, Donovan Dela Cruz, Lorraine Inouye, and Donna Mercado Kim of Hawaii, and State Representatives Henry Aquino, Ty Cullen, and Della Au Belatti, and Val Okimoto also of Hawaii. Rachelle Arizmendi was selected to a second term as Mayor of the City of Sierra Madre, Juslyn Manalo as Mayor of Daly City, Letty Lopez-Viado as Mayor of West Covina City, Melissa Ramoso, appointed Mayor Pro Tem of Artesia, and Rozzana Verder-Aliga, elected Vice Mayor of Vallejo, all in the State of California. In Hawaii, Bennette Misalucha won the election for the State Senate District 16 after being appointed to the seat by Governor David Ige earlier this year. Judge Anjana Hansen won in the general retention as 9th Subcircuit Judge of the Cook County Judicial Circuit Court, Illinois, and Angelito Tenorio won as Alderman in the City of West Allis, Wisconsin. NaFFAA celebrates the Filipino Americans who will be entering office for the first time, including State Representative-elect Marvin Lim (District 99) and Hon. Karen Watkins, Gwinnett County Board of Education (District 1) of Georgia, State Representatives Ernesto “Sonny” Ganaden and Greggor Ilagan, and Honolulu Council Members-elect Radiant Cordero and Augusto “Augie” Tulba of Hawaii, Maplewood Council Member-elect Nikki Villavicencio of Minnesota, Wake County Commissioner-elect Maria Cervania of North Carolina, and Tukwilawa Council Member-elect Cynthia Delostrinos Johnson of Washington. We also celebrate those who will be transitioning from one elected office to another, including Hercules City Council Member-elect Alexander Walker-Griffin will rotate into the Mayorship in 2022, and Mayor-elect Todd Gloria of San Diego.
“Congratulations to all the Filipino Americans in their bids for office this year and thank you for your commitment to the Filipino community and to your communities at home,” commented NaFFAA National Chairman Brendan Flores. “Civic engagement is very important, and there is an opportunity for members to also apply for federal positions, including appointed offices.”
Former Mayor of Cerritos, California, Mark Pulido, who helps lead NaFFAA’s Run for Office phase of the FilAm Vote Program, says “A new White House administration brings the opportunity for FilAms to apply for appointments and jobs in the federal government. We encourage members of our community to visit https://buildbackbetter.gov/join-us/ for opportunities to serve. There are opportunities both in Washington, D.C. and boards and commissions that people can serve on from their home states.”
NaFFAA looks forward to working with every elected official and community leader to advocate for and advance the issues facing the Filipino community and promote the welfare and well-being of the over four million Filipinos and Filipino Americans throughout the United States, especially through its FilAm Vote program under its Civic Engagement pillar.
Contact: Carissa Villacorta
Executive Director
info@naffaa.org / 202-262-0772
Since 1997, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) has been the standard-bearer for promoting the welfare and well-being of the four million Filipinos and Filipino Americans throughout the United States. NaFFAA is the largest non-partisan, non-profit organization and national affiliation of Filipino American institutions, umbrella organizations, and individuals. Its fourteen-member regions cover the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Pacific Islands.
