8 Asians

I’ve blogged about Jay Chen’s run for Congress in Southern California, and a fellow blogger has interviewed him over email, but I had a chance to meet Chen in person while attending various Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) events while here in Charlotte, North Carolina at the Democratic National Convention (DNC). Note: I’ve contributed to his campaign and have attended a few fundraisers during his visit to the San Francisco Bay Area. I first became aware and interested in Chen when he first appeared on The Daily Show a few years ago defending the “Confucius Classroom” programs in Hacienda Heights, California.

At the DNC, I first saw Chen at the AAPI delegates meet & greet during Day 1, then at the AAPI caucus in the morning on Day 2, and then had a chance to interview him after a reception in the afternoon. I had a chance to ask him about his run for Congress, including which district he is running for, his interest in public service and running for office, his particular Congressional race and his opponent, his goals if he is elected, his activities at the DNC and connecting with other Asian Americans running for public office, and how Asian Americans can get civically involved.