One half hour before the polls officially closed in California, Rep Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) expressed optimism that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders could pick up as many as four new seats in Congress.
Everything would have to align just perfectly, but she says it’s possible.
Chu is the longtime chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. She spoke to us by phone from her home district where she is making numerous appearances at various election parties.
“Lanon Baccam (D) in Iowa is up by seven points. Wow. And 67% of the returns have come in,” she said at 7:37 Pacific Time.
The race has since tightened with Baccan trailing Republican challenger 50.9% to 49.1%. That’s a difference of 6,685 with 95% of the votes counted.
She also expressed confidence the Derek Tran could overtake incumbent Michelle Steel (R-Orange County) in the 45th Congressional District. She says Tran has been two to four points up in the polls and that Republicans had taken money from that race and spent it instead on District 47 where Dave Min (D) is facing Scott Baugh (R).
Both are vying to replace outgoing Rep Katie Porter (D-Irvine) who unsuccessfully ran for the Senate.
Chu is also hopeful Asm. Evan Low can overtake former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo. Liccardo has had a huge fundraising advantage, but Low boasts endorsements from the Labor Federation and the Democratic Party, including Gov. Gavin Newsom.
As of this writing, Suhas Subramanyam (d) appears to have defeated Mike Clancy (R) 52.1 to 47.9 in Virginia’s House District with 96% of the vote counted.
For the Presidential race, Chu believes it will come down to Pennsylvania. Whoever wins Pennsylvania, she says, will take the presidency.
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