PAC On The Move

Written by Judge Victor Hwang

The Political Action Committee is charged with responding to challenges against incumbent APA judges, where the incumbent is highly qualified and the challenge is based in part upon the judge’s race, ethnicity, gender, or perceived foreign-ness.

In November 2019, the PAC responded to the challenge of an incumbent South Asian jurist by an attorney who had previously filed to challenge another South Asian judge.  The PAC moved quickly to send a statewide letter of support, prepared a press release, and began preparations to raise funds to defend the highly qualified incumbent judge.  Fortunately, the challenger decided not to continue with his campaign after assessing the level of support from the local and statewide bench.

We received this message of thanks from the incumbent judge:

“As someone who has spent most of my life in public service, but who has only been in this position for less than a year, it meant so much to me to have the support from such an accomplished and respected group of judges.  Each of you represents the integrity, excellence and professionalism that I strive to achieve.  Reading the words of the draft press release and hearing the conviction in your voices gave me so much strength. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to support you and the amazing things you do.”

In 2018, CAPAJA PAC worked with the local San Francisco bench to support four incumbent judges, two of whom were Asian American, who faced challenges after long distinguished years of service.  In that election, all four incumbents were re-elected with the two Asian American judges winning by the highest margins of victory.