After his primary victory over two other Asian American Democrats for the 40th District in the New York State Assembly, Ron Kim said his win came down to his focus on the middle class.
Kim, the incumbent, on Tuesday defeated challengers Yi Andy Chen and Dao Yin with more than half of the vote in a Queens district that has a majority-Asian population. While the area has long been home to a diverse electorate, dominated by immigrants from China, Korea and other parts of Asia, Kim said they are largely united in their economic concerns.
“I think everyone can agree that without a growing and stronger middle class, everything falls apart because people are pitted against each other,” Kim said.
In the primary, Kim clinched 54% of the vote while Chen, the runner-up, trailed by 14%. This is certainly not Kim’s first rodeo. For more than a decade, he has represented the Assembly district, which encompasses Flushing, a neighborhood known for housing New York’s largest Chinatown.
While the district, which is more than two-thirds Asian and almost 67% foreign-born, has long been a popular destination for Asian immigrants, the rise of certain ethnic groups have led to shifting demographics. Kim said that in his first bid, the most politically active groups included those from Taiwan, Korea and Hong Kong. In the last few years, he said, more mainland Chinese organizations have gotten involved. And he’s had to take time to learn, he added.
Ultimately, Kim said, anxiety around a shrinking middle class has been a motivator for many of these immigrant groups. Census data shows that the median household income in the district hovers around $58,308, significantly lower than that of the city at $76,607. And the campaign has stressed the importance of public safety and affordability in addressing the issue, he said.
“Everyone just wants to live in a safe environment where their hard work is valued,” he said. “As long as we can connect on those basic ingredients, it…
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