Few are aware that some 13% of likely California voters are Asian. That is a huge number. SurveyUSA released its comprehensive results on October 3. This November 2nd., the voting universe looks to be some 60% white, 6% black, 21% Latino with the remaining 13% Asian.
The growing Asian voting influence should be good news for Republicans. Generally, Asian households have higher levels of income, higher education, greater home ownership, more intact families and strong religious affiliations. SurveyUSA shows that Carly is in the margin of error, but the poll reveals that Boxer has some 46% Asian support over Carly’s 38%.
This is not a new Republican dilemma.
We can learn from Van Tran. Six years ago he surprised Republicans by winning a hotly contested primary where his Republican opponent accused Van of being Vietnamese! Despite the racial pandering, Van won—largely because he appealed to white conservatives, conservative Latinos and pushed for a huge registration for VIetnamese. Presently, Vietnamese hold some 20% of the registrations in the 47th congressional district. Van will win because of his work in all three communities.
The process starts years before an significant election. Van Tran attended Latino and Vietnamese community meetings year round, held small meetings constantly, was accessible for one to one meetings. Van’s name ID is high and positive.
What can Meg and Carly do now?
With a universe of over 2,000,000 likely voters, one must understand that the highly complex and divergent Asian communities support hundreds of daily and weekly newspapers and magazines.There are dozens of radio and TV Asian programs. Earned media is easy to garner. Anytime either candidate is near any Asian community—a special effort should be made to invite all local Asian media. They will show up if invited. In addition, given the Tipping Point of the 13% vote factor—strongly consider advertising on Asian radio and TV. In the past, it may not have made much political sense. But times are changing.