NJ Election 2021: The powerful Asian American vote is far from a monolith | Mary Chao

When Tenafly became the first place in New Jersey to commemorateKorean Hanbok Day earlier this month —  "Hanbok" refers to traditional Korean clothing and luxurious designs dating as far back as the first century B.C. — Brian Jon, president of the Asian American Youth Council was there, enthusiastically greetingNew Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy. 

Jon, 19, is a supporter of the re-election campaign of New Jersey Gov. Phil. Murphy, a Democrat, because, he says, the governor embraces diversity.

"I feel he has done a good job and understands us," said Jon, who is a student from Tenafly.

Meanwhile, in Montville on Tuesday, Chinese American philanthropist and activist Margaret Lam was busying herself with preparations for an annual college scholarship contest she funds for Chinese high school seniors from New Jersey, and pondering the outcome of the gubernatorial election Tuesday.

She is a supporter of Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli because, she says, she is upset with New Jersey's high taxes.

"Too many of my friends have moved out of the state," said Lam, 80.

Asian Americans represent a diverse range of nationalities, languages and viewpoints, and their population growth — over the past decade, the Asians American population grew faster than any other racial group in New Jersey, up 44% to 1.05 million — means their voting power is important to major political parties and both gubernatorial campaigns in the upcoming election. .

Elections:Asian Americans surge into state politics, pushing back against hate | Mary Chao

Film:For Asian movie fans, Marvel's 'Shang-Chi' stirs pride and controversy | Mary Chao

Asian Americans favored Joe Biden over Donald Trump by a margin of 68% to 29%, according to a survey by the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund. But that was last year when xenophobia was top of mind. In this off election year, with gubernatorial races only in New Jersey and Virginia, Democratic leadership under Biden comes under the microscope, with inflation and supply chain issues as nagging concerns.

In the final Monmouth University poll of the New Jersey governor’s race, Murphy, a Democrat seeking a second term, was ahead by 11 percentage points, 50% to 39%.

First generation Asian Americans vs. second generation

Asian Americans mirror much of America, divided by a generational ideology. The first generation of immigrants tends to lean conservative, with a penchant for self-reliance. The younger, second generation tends to be more progressive, growing up in a diverse America.

"It's our parents versus us," said Dan Park, 37, a Democratic councilman in Tenafly. "It's two cultures." 

Park emigrated to America when he was 2 with his parents, who worked as a pharmacist and an accountant. Over the decades, he has seen the growth of Asians in New Jersey, who sometimes disagree on political views or are apolitical. With more Asian Americans entering the political arena, he hopes Asian Americans will be motivated to vote.

"It's a big voting block and both parties are catering to it," Park said.

Both the Murphy and the Ciattarelli camps are rolling out the red carpet to court Asian American voters. Ciattarelli's campaign advertised in Korean language newspapers with photos of Korean American leaders. Murphy's campaign staffs an Asian American Pacific Islander and faith groups team, dedicated to outreach.

Both candidates are making the round in the North Jersey Asian communities. Murphy and Ciattarelli attended the Korean Festival in Ridgefield Park Oct. 9, speaking on stage.        

At a Murphy AAPI rally Sunday during the start of early voting in Fort Lee, Asian Americans gathered for cultural performances. If they showed that they voted, they received free Filipino or Korean street foods, such as lumpia and beef adodo.

"It's very important that you vote," announcer Ludi Hughes told the crowd before introducing a slate of Democratic candidates. "If you don't vote, you don't count."

Cliffside resident Darl Seong Jhung, 86, joined his Korean American veterans friends at the rally, enjoying Korean fish cakes after voting early. He said his area of Bergen County is largely Democratic, so he is supporting Democrats. But when it comes to representation, it is important to get Korean Americans into elected office and he will support a Korean American candidate regardless of party.

"Republican or Democrat, we support," Jhung said. "We have to grow Asian power in the USA, especially with hate crimes."

Asian American community outreach

Understanding that appeal of representation, Kinn Badger, who serves on Murphy's AAPI faith-based team, noted that there are a record number of Democratic AAPI candidates running for office. If Ellen Park is elected, she would become the first Korean woman in the state Legislature representing District 37, which covers Bergen County. There are nine Asian American candidates statewide on the Democratic line.

"The AAPI population is the fastest growing population in our state. And we saw in the 2020 election that voter turnout was monumental," Badger said.

The outreach has been strategic, with visits to mosques, temples and churches as well as to Asian American leaders. In Fort Lee, the campaign specifically reached out to Korean and Chinese leaders because of the demographics of the borough, said Lauren Lalicon, with Murphy's AAPI campaign. Voters' guides were translated into 14 Asian languages and blasted into the community, she said.

Ciattarelli's campaign responded to its work in the Asian communities of New Jersey with a statement.

"Jack has taken no community and no voter for granted throughout the race," Chris Russell, Ciattarelli strategist wrote. 

"He is competing for literally every vote, and that includes the Korean community and Asian voters generally. New Jersey is the most diverse state in the country and Jack understands that to win the race — and to be an effective Governor — he needs to build bridges to every community, and that is exactly what we've been doing." 

Hanbok style:Tenafly celebrates New Jersey's first Korean Hanbok Day with swaths of silk and style

AAPI in politics:Asian Americans surge into state politics, pushing back against hate | Mary Chao

Diversity, equity and inclusion

Lam, the activist, met with Ciattarelli and her intuition told her that he is a man who cares about people.

"I'm quite a conservative person," said Lam, who emigrated from Hong Kong.

Jon, an immigrant from South Korea, said he was more conservative when he was younger but now appreciates Democratic values of inclusion and equality.

Han Ilk Son, president of the Korean American Association of New Jersey, which represents over 100,000 Korean Americans in the state, offered both Murphy and Ciattarelli a platform at the Korean Festival at New Overpeck Park. Though he was in an advertisement in a Korean newspaper featuring Ciattarelli, Son said he was just at a luncheon when the picture was taken and does not endorse or support either candidate. 

Son acknowledges that views vary in the Korean community. Some are conservative while others are progressive. Whatever the outcome, Son pledges to work with the victor to further Asian causes.

 "We hope for Asian leaders to become winners in their elections," Son said. "They deliver our voices."              

Mary Chao 趙 慶 華 covers the Asian community and real estate for NorthJersey.com. To get unlimited access to the latest news out of North Jersey, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: mchao@northjersey.com