A Filipino-American woman now holds the second highest position in the California state government.
Mona Pasquil was appointed interim lieutenant governor of the state by Lt. Gov. John Garamendi last Nov 10, a statement from the Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) said.
"Lt Garamendi’s chief of staff, Filipina-American Mona Pasquil will serve in an acting capacity as lieutenant governor," APIAVote said in the statement released on Nov 11.
California Democratic Lt. Gov. Garamendi beat Republican David Warner at the elections, for the state’s 10th Congressional District.
Pasquil is the first woman to be named to that position and the first Filipino to be appointed to that post.
Though serving in a temporary capacity currently, the majority of both the California Senate and the Assembly may confirm her appointment during a regular session in January 2010.
As lieutenant governor, Pasquil is authorized to preside over the business of the state’s upper chamber as well as sit on the Board of Regents of the University of California system and the California State University Board of Trustees.
Pasquil was most recently one of the thirty members of the Democratic National Convention’s Rules and Bylaws Committee.
She previously served on the senior staff for the Kerry Edwards presidential campaign as Deputy Political Director for Constituency Groups. She was also political director for Governor Gray Davis and California political director for Gore/Lieberman 2000.
In addition, she was the deputy chief executive officer for the 2000 Democratic National Convention, and served western political director during the Clinton administration
Meanwhile, APIAVote also reported that several Asian and Pacific Islander candidates won their races, showing their support from the AAPI community as well as their broader constituents.
In New York , John Liu won the Comptroller election making him the first Asian-American to serve as a top city official.
At the same time, Margaret Chin won in the New York City Council race, the first time a Chinese-American has won in the Manhattan Chinatown district.
In Virginia, Mark Keam, won Virginia ‘s 35th District House of Delegates seat, making him the first Asian-American to serve in the state government, APIAVote said.
APIAVote is a national non-partisan, non-profit organization that encourages and promotes civic participation of Asian Pacific Islander Americans in the electoral processes in the local, state, and national levels.
( Published November 13, 2009 Asian Journal Northern California p. A1 )
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