Asian-Americans' rise in NY politics

Last month, with Jimmy Meng's defeat of Assemb. Barry Grodenchik in the Democratic primary, the long-foreseen promise of Asian-Americans' growing political influence in New York delivered a long-awaited result. Meng's victory all but guarantees he will be the first Asian-American elected to the New York Legislature. In the Nov. 2 general election, he will face Republican Meilin Tan, Greens No To War Party candidate Evergreen Chou, and Grodenchik, who is on the ballot as the nominee of the Working Families Party, but Meng is the overwhelming favorite in Flushing's heavily Democratic Assembly District 22. Some politicos and observers view Meng's victory as proof that the Asian community has enough political clout to muscle its way into citywide elections. [more ]