A Changing Political Landscape

John Vu

In the last 5 years I have the opportunity to be an intimate observer of many political campaigns at state, county and local levels in Santa Clara County and Orange County. And the concensus of all politicians is that the political landscape is rapidly changing and the rules of the games are being rewritten. In 2008 election, it will become even more apparent at the national level.

At the risk of overreaching but unless there are major surprises on this upcoming primary, the San Jose city council will have 5 ethnic councilmembers serving. It woud mark the first time in the history of San Jose to have an equal proportion non-White elected official sitting concurrently. This is not a surprise since it only reflects the 2006 demographics of San Jose where there are 40% White, 27% Asian and 30% Latino. It is also worth noting that 4 out of 10 people reside in San Jose are foreign born residents.

Santa Clara County 2006 demographics shows a similar trend of 31% Asian, 40% White and 23% Hispanic.

The only big city in the Bay Area where White is not a single major race is Oakland. The city has 35% Black, 27% White, 15% Asian and 23% Latino.

Orange County, the bastion of Republican conservative and anti-immigration ground zero in California, is seeing some drastic population changes. White for the first time is a minority in OC with only 48% of the population. The rest of the population is made up of Hispanic and Asian descends with about 1/3 of the population is foreign born.

This article when I first started out meant to be for the mainstream audience but I decided to just share with my expatriates only.

In San Jose, after this election, the concensus is that there will be Vietnamese-Americans in city council. The supervisor race of District 2 could have been our if we have a candidate. All supervisor seats after the 2008 election will be held by White where they don't even make up the majority.

In OC, there are one supervisor, one state assemblyman, various city council members and one mayor of VNmese descend. In 2010, if the political climate is right, there might be one US congressman of VNmese descend.

It is an exciting time for our community to see the successes of many political stars and the myriad opportunities in the horizon for thien thoi dia loi is here. The Madison Nguyen recall is a blessing in disguise for the community despite the many pains that the community has endured. But through the struggle, at the end of the day, the community has built a rich knowledge of the democracy process and have gain people who are experience in campaigning at both local and state levels.

It is a best of time and it is a worse of time for us in San Jose. Nevertheless as the community becomes more mature both financially and politically, I am encouraged to see more young and old people are being empowered by actively participating in the political process.