Flushing, Queens
When John Liu moves on from his city council seat in 2009, he will leave behind a new political landscape for future Asian American politicians.
The Flushing Democrat, who chaired the powerful transportation committee during his two terms, is the first Asian American elected to the City Council. He is expected to seek either the city comptroller position or run for Mayor.
Although his seat won’t be open for a year, who will succeed him is the subject of much debate in the community. In Flushing, one of the city’s most heavily Asian communities, many residents would like to see the office remain in Asian American hands. But so far, only one candidate has declared—Constantine Kavadas, a Greek American political novice who is working to persuade the neighborhood’s Asian voters that he can represent them.
“When you walk down the street (in Flushing), it’s 60 percent Asian American,” said 23-year-old Ran Chen, a Flushing resident who prefers another Asian succeed Liu. “They understand our needs and our culture. For Flushing, it’s a very good thing.”
Check out the timeline of Asian-American involvement in New York politics below:
