WASHINGTON - Judy Chu (D), vice chairwoman of the California State Board of Equalization, is well on her way to becoming the 12th Asian American member of the U.S. Congress. She scored a historic win in the May 19 primary in Los Angeles, California.

Chu won in a crowded field of 12 candidates. But she fell short of the needed majority, and will face a runoff on July 14.

Asian American Action Fund Executive Director Gautam Dutta expressed confidence over Chu's victory all the way to the general election in November.

He told Asian Fortune: "The run-off is among the top Democrat (Judy Chu), Republican (Betty Tom Chu), and Independent (Christopher M. Agrella). There had to be a runoff because no candidate received 50 percent plus one of the votes cast. However, since the district votes overwhelmingly Democratic, Judy Chu is expected to win easily on July 14."

Chu was "really excited, and I feel so honored by the votes of the people in the district," the L.A. Times quoted her as saying at a party held at Nick's Taste of Texas restaurant in Covina, after the evening's vote tallies showed her ahead in the race.

Chu obtained 15,338 votes, or 31.9% of the total votes cast in the Democratic primary, according to the L.A. Times report, with Chu's closest rival Gil Cedillo garnering 11,244 votes, or 23.4% of the vote.

California's 32nd congressional district opened up when President Obama appointed Rep. Hilda Solis as labor secretary. Half of the district voters are Hispanic Americans, with a small Asian American population. Chu, a Chinese American, forged a multi-ethnic coalition, the paper said, and had the support of top Latino officials, including L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D). Chu also raised nearly $1 million for the primary contest and had strong support from labor.

The AAA-Fund, a political action committee, and other Asian American groups endorsed Chu. They also led traditional and online fundraising campaigns for her.

Historic candidacy

Community leaders promptly expressed elation over Chu's victory. AAA-Fund Executive Director Dutta said in an email the day after Chu won: "We are thrilled that AAA-Fund Honorary Board member Judy Chu finished first in last night's election.� Because of her outstanding record of leadership and achievement, Dr. Chu is on the cusp of becoming the first Asian American Congresswoman to represent Los Angeles County.� We heartily congratulate Dr. Chu for her historic candidacy, and we will redouble our efforts to make sure she wins her July 14 runoff."

Former AAA-Fund Executive Director Irene Bueno also said in an email: "I'm thrilled that Judy Chu won the primary and I expect that she will win in the general election, too. Judy will join continue the legacy of other great Asian American female Members of Congress, including Representatives Patsy Mink, Doris Matsui and Mazie Hirono. I am pleased that the AAA-Fund played a role in supporting Judy Chu's campaign and her historic victory."�

U.S. Representative Mike Honda (CA), chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), congratulated Chu. He said: "I offer my heartfelt congratulations to my dear friend, Judy Chu. Secretary Hilda Solis left big shoes to fill, and I have every belief that Judy will do a superb job representing San Gabriel Valley."

"Judy has been a strong advocate on behalf of America's working families and communities, and has proven herself as a leader who can build broad-based coalitions,: he added. "She brings strong expertise from her tenure on the Board of Equalization that will be critical as we fight to preserve American jobs and strengthen our economy.

"Congress will gain much from what Judy has to offer, and I look forward to inviting her to join our ranks as a member of Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus," he concluded.

Currently, there are 11 representatives in the 435-member U.S. House of Representatives. Most of them are Democrats. They are joined by two Republicans, who won in the Nov. 14 elections last year: Joseph Cao of New Orleans and Steve Austria of Ohio. Honda said he welcomed a bipartisan CAPAC, and invited Representative Cao, who attended the reception for the freshmen Asian American solons, held in Capitol recently.

The tightly contested California race was marred by a flyer from the Cedillo campaign days before the primary. In its newsletter, AAA-Fund lamented the tactic. It noted: "...the mailer implies that Dr. Chu isn't American, but a foreigner whose patriotism is suspect. While the flyer consists of four pages, here's the gist of it.� In 2001 and 2002, Dr. Chu received campaign donations from a former FBI agent, Katrina Leung.� In 2003, Leung was charged with espionage, but the charges against her were dismissed. Upon learning of the charges against Leung, Dr. Chu immediately returned Leung's donation."