I am so proud of my sister Susan Allen for winning tonight’s special primary election for the MN State House seat in 61B! It’s been such an honor to play a small role in making history and sending the first Native American woman to the state legislature! A big thank you to the progressive champions and friends that dedicated their time and energy to Team Susan and made this night a reality – Robert Lilligren, Susy Bates, Peggy Flanagan, Rena Moran, Jamie S. Edwards, Josh Nussbaum, Jeff Hayden, Karen Clark, Colette Routel, Lori Stee, Rick Stafford, Katie Hatt, Andrea Jenkins and all the other amazing volunteers and supporters!!! — with Bauj Chu Yang Heu.

By David K. Yoo

LOS ANGELES (Dec. 6, 2011) — More Asian Pacific Americans hold public office in the United States than at any other time in U.S. history, a sign of the community’s growing engagement with the political process, according to a newly released political almanac published by UCLA’s Asian American Studies Center.

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ST. PAUL (Dec. 2, 2011) — On Thursday night, TakeAction Minnesota members voted to endorse Mohamud Noor for State Senate (SD 59) and Susan Allen for State Representative (HD 61B) in special election races whose primaries will be held this Tuesday.

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Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie reminds voters to vote in the special primary elections being held in Senate District 59 and House District 61B  on Tuesday, December 6, 2011.

“Primary elections narrow the field of candidates to those who will be on the general election ballot.  I encourage voters to have a voice in who will represent them at the legislature by exercising their right to vote and casting a ballot on Tuesday,” said Secretary Ritchie.

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ST. PAUL (Nov. 9, 2011) — In the Saint Paul City Council Ward 6 Election Tuesday, Green Party candidate Bee Kevin Xiong received an impressive 42 percent  against long-time incumbent Dan Bostrom. He thanked his supporters at his headquarters for their commitment and interest in bringing new voices into city politics.

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Rawley Soberano, Ph.D.

By Rawlein G. Soberano, Ph.D.

GERMANTOWN, MD (Nov. 1, 2011) — The tanking economy, high unemployment rate and ridiculously high gas prices are taking a huge toll on average Americans, but the Big Five oil companies (Exxon Mobil, Shell, Chevron, BP and Conoco Phillips) made a whopping $36 billion in profits in Q2 of 2011. Their minions and lapdogs in Congress (GOP) are fighting with fanatic subservience to their masters to hold on to their government subsidies.

There are 140 Super PACs; one is generating $150 million in this election cycle to buy more lawmakers; they’re cheap. Poverty among Americans 65 and older is statistically unchanged in recent years because of Social Security. Republicans want their buddies to run it (the more accurate description is — to raid it).

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SAN FRANCISCO (Oct. 26, 2011) — The Asian American population in the United States grew faster than any other racial group over the past decade, according to a new report released Wednesday by the Asian American Center for Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice). Growing 46 percent between 2000 and 2010, the Asian American population nationwide now numbers more than 17 million and is poised to influence next year’s Presidential election.

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St. Paul, Minn. (Sept. 30, 2011) — TakeAction Minnesota announced its endorsements of four candidates in races for St. Paul City Council this year.

They include Jim Ivey in Ward Two, Russ Stark in Ward Four, Amy Brendmoen in Ward Five, and Bee Kevin Xiong in Ward Six. Stark remains the sole incumbent endorsed by TakeAction Minnesota, while Ivey, Brendmoen and Xiong are posing challenges to incumbents Dave Thune, Lee Helgen and Dan Bostrom, respectively.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 13, 2011)  – The U.S. Census Bureau on THursday released the new official list of jurisdictions that are required to provide bilingual voting assistance under Section 203 of the federal Voting Rights Act.

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Rawley Soberano, Ph.D.

By RAWLEIN SOBERANO

GERMANTOWN, MD (Sept. 16, 2011) — Texas is the icon of the American Dream since 1836. It is blessed with land, rivers, oil and other natural resources. Early in its history, Texas has opened its doors to everyone, from cattle ranchers and farm hands to cotton farmers and Chinese railroad workers. They built a great state rooted in the firm belief that everyone, regardless of background, could soar to the highest pinnacle of success their talent can carry them to. With education, determination and hard work, nothing was impossible!

Today that dream is a distant mirage, if you are not white with money. The state has the highest rate of uninsured children in the nation. Rick Perry gutted children services even as Texas childhood poverty hit 25 percent as reported by the Center for Public Policy Priorities. It has an inordinately high percentage of impoverished children, and he opposed expanding CHIPS (State Children’s Health Insurance Program).

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