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As the general election approaches, the Korean American Grassroots Conference would like to help all of our community members stay informed with the latest developments in election administrations, as well as candidates for other offices than the White House. The second in a three-part series, this post focuses on the 17 Korean American candidates running for a state-level and metropolitan city office in 2020. You can find the rest of the series here:

• Korean American Elected Officials and Candidates: Federal-level Offices (released in September 2020)
• Korean American Elected Officials and Candidates: Local Offices 

As of October 2020, there are at least 21 Korean Americans serving in the state government across the United States. Four of them serve in the executive branch in appointed seats: David S. Kim, Secretary of California State Transportation Agency; Jimmy H. Rhee, Maryland’s Special Secretary of Small, Minority, & Women Business Affairs; Hanseul Kang, the District of Columbia’s State Superintendent of Education; and Elissa Kim, Tennessee’s State Board of Education. There are also 5 judges on various state courts, both elected and appointed, as well as 14 members in the state legislatures. Below are the profiles of those candidates up for election later this year.

Please be advised that this list shows only those up for re-election or election in 2020 for a seat in the state government or a metropolitan city government. There are several more Korean American public officials, both elected and appointed, serving in various branches of the federal, state, and local governments across the country.

1. Sam Park, Georgia House of Representatives (District 101) Incumbent*

A son of Korean immigrants and grandson of Korean War refugees, Representative Sam Park was born and raised in Georgia. As a two-term member of the Georgia House of Representatives, he currently serves as a deputy whip of the Georgia House Democratic Caucus and as a Vice Chair of the Gwinnett delegation to the House. Despite having never run for office, Rep. Park won his first race in 2016 against a Republican incumbent who had outraised him. He is the first Korean American Democrat to be elected to the chamber, as well as the first openly gay man to ever be elected to any state legislature in the South.

Prior to his election, Rep. Park served with a number of state legislators and political campaigns. In 2012, Rep. Park interned for Stacey Abrams who served as the Democratic Leader of the Georgia House of Representatives and went onto become a gubernatorial candidate in 2018. He also served as a legal extern for the Georgia Senate Democratic Caucus in 2013, as an aide for Maryland Senator Jamie Raskin (who now serves in the U.S. Congress), for Jason Carter’s gubernatorial campaign in 2014, and Jon Ossoff’s congressional campaign in 2017.

As a state legislator himself, Rep. Park’s primary focus is on Medicaid expansion to help suffering families get access to healthcare, as he recently lost a family member to cancer. He has authored a number of bills to that effect, including House Bill 669 (2018), which sought to authorize appropriations to expand Medicaid in Georgia. Other legislative achievements of Rep. Park include measures to ensure the civil rights of citizens without English proficiency and to grant Korean-American veterans of the Vietnam War a veteran-status recognized by the State of Georgia, which was signed into law in March 2020.

Rep. Park is an attorney by profession and currently serves at a local nonprofit working to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Georgia. In just four years in office, Rep. Park rapidly rose through the ranks, and in 2020, he was featured at the 2020 Democratic National Convention as its only Asian American speaker.

The Georgia House of Representatives currently has 180 elected members elected from one district each, serving two-year terms. Georgia’s 101st House District encompasses several municipalities with a large Korean American population in Gwinnett County, such as Suwanee and Lawrenceville. The total population of the district is 56,572. The district is considered “majority-minority,” as 58% of its population is composed of minorities. In the 2016 presidential election, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton won 54% of the district’s votes; in 2012, Republican candidate Mitt Romney won 51% of the votes.

Over the years, Rep. Park has spoken at the KAGC events on multiple occasions, including a KAGC U event at Emory in 2018, 2019 KAGC Alabama Regional Seminar, on the main stage at the 2018 and 2019 KAGC National Conferences, as well as a number of college student events.

2. Steven Choi, California State Assembly (District 68) Incumbent*

An immigrant from Korea himself, Dr. Choi has served two terms as Mayor of Irvine, CA, before he was elected as California State Assemblyman of the 68th Assembly District in 2016. 

Prior to that, in 1998, he became the first Asian-American elected to the Irvine Unified School Board and served two consecutive terms there before becoming the first Asian American to have been elected to a four-year term on the Irvine City Council and one of two Korean Americans on the council.

While serving on the Irvine City Council and as the city’s mayor, Dr. Choi oversaw the safest big city in the country, used audits to ferret out waste and corruption and started initiatives to create more good-paying jobs.

In the Assembly, Dr. Choi has led efforts to improve the quality of Orange County Schools, protect Proposition 13 and keep taxes down, tackle the homeless problem, and reduce the cost of health care.

The California State Assembly has 80 members from one district each, serving two-year terms. California’s 68th Assembly District encompasses inland central Orange County, running along the Santa Ana Mountains. Total population of the district is 463,053, according to the State of California Citizens Redistricting Commission Final Report. In the 2016 presidential election, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton won 49.4% of the district’s votes.

Assemblyman Choi has spoken at the 2019 KAGC National Conference. 

3. Tina Yoo Clinton, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (Judge)

Judge Tina Yoo Clinton has served as the presiding Judge of Dallas County Criminal District Court No. 1 since 2018. She previously served for eight years as the presiding Judge of Dallas County Criminal Court No. 8. She is now running for the position of Place 4 Judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

Judge Clinton’s 14-year career as a judge began in 2006 when she became an Associate Municipal Judge for the City of Dallas. In 2007, she served another local community as a Municipal Judge in Hutchins until her election to Criminal Court No. 8 in 2010.

Presiding over 400 trials in her 14 years on the bench, Judge Clinton served Dallas County over a period that saw a great decrease in violent crime in the community.

During the pandemic, Judge Clinton oversaw the implementation of technological infrastructure in Dallas County Criminal District Court No. 1 that would allow the courthouse to perform essential functions while mitigating health risks. Judge Clinton’s efforts emphasized her commitment to transparency, security, and above all, justice despite the difficulties presented by the pandemic.

The highest court in Texas for criminal matters, the Court of Criminal Appeals has nine judges, each of whom is elected through partisan election and serves a six-year term. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is based in downtown Austin and it covers all Texas’ population of 29.9 million. 

Judge Yoo Clinton spoke at the 2018 KAGC National Conference.

4. Chris Chyung, Indiana House of Representatives (District 15) Incumbent*

Born in Merrillville and now residing in Dyer, Indiana, Representative Chyung was elected in 2018 as Indiana’s first Asian-American and youngest state legislator at age 25. He beat the three-term Republican incumbent by 82 votes. 

Rep. Chyung is the ranking minority member of the Local Government Committee. He is also a member of the following Indiana House committees: Financial Institutions, Roads and Transportation, and Veterans Affairs and Public Safety.

After working as a financial analyst for Pangea Real Estate in Chicago, Rep. Chyung started his own real estate company in Hammond. Rep. Chyung’s volunteer work has included service with Habitat for Humanity Restore as well as the Welcome Network.

The Indiana House of Representatives is composed of 100 members representing an equal number of constituent districts over two-year terms. The district includes portions of Lake County and includes the town of Dyer. The total population of the district is 64,537. According to Daily Kos, in the 2016 presidential election, the majority of his district voted for Republican candidate Donald Trump with 53.12% of the votes. 

5. Maria Robinson, Massachusetts State House of Representatives (6th Middlesex) Incumbent*

An adoptee from South Korea who was raised in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Representative Maria Duaime Robinson was the first Korean-American elected to the Massachusetts State Legislature. In 2018, she overwhelmingly defeated the competing write-in candidates with nearly 78% of the votes. 

Rep. Robinson serves on the following Massachusetts House committees: Technology and Intergovernmental Affairs, Cannabis Policy, Export Development, and State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

In the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Rep. Robinson authored and sponsored numerous bills pertaining to energy and sustainability, such as H.392, which would expand the Department of Energy Resources studies on electric vehicles. She has also advocated for her diverse constituency, such as through H.3117, which petitioned for legislation to authorize international students with F-1 visas who have obtained a driver’s permit to drive.

She had spent a decade in various positions involving alternative energy, including at the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources to deploy solar panels at municipal water and wastewater facilities, as well as the U.S. EPA Clean Air Act Advisory Committee, in which she was the only elected member.

Rep. Robinson has also proactively served her local community. She was a former board member of the Framingham Public Library Foundation and the Friends of the Framingham Library, and is an elected member of the Framingham Democratic Town Committee.

The Massachusetts House of Representatives is composed of 160 members who serve two-year terms. The district covers part of the city of Framingham in Middlesex County. The total population of the district is 40,923, according to Census 2010. According to Daily Kos, in 2016, the district voted for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton (68.63%) over Republican candidate Donald Trump (25.73%).

6. Ron Kim, New York State Assembly (District 40) Incumbent*

A son of Korean immigrants and a longtime resident of Flushing, Queens, Assemblyman Ron Kim was re-elected to his fourth term as the representative of the 40th Assembly District in November 2018. He is the first and only Korean-American ever elected to the New York State Legislature. 

Since his election in 2012, Assemblyman Kim has stood firm in his message of striving to provide quality education for all students, securing funding for local schools, and supporting small businesses in the Flushing community.

In his first term, Assemblyman Kim made national and international news by mediating an issue between local businesses and senior citizens in the community seeking a social space in Flushing’s crowded neighborhood. In response, he wrote and introduced the “Community Corner Cafe Fund” which sought to grant tax credit to cafes, restaurants, and diners that collaborate with local nonprofits to serve and provide services to older adults.

In his second term, he made national news once again by working with Governor Cuomo to implement long-term resolutions to regulate and reform the nail salon industry in New York City. The new legislation and accompanying initiatives would secure safer working conditions for the employees of over 4,000 small businesses across the city.

As a tireless advocate for the diverse needs of his multicultural district, Assemblyman Kim also collaborated with Mayor de Blasio, Congresswoman Meng, and State Senator Squadron to write and submit legislation establishing the Asian Lunar New Year as a New York City school holiday. In June 2015, Mayor de Blasio publicly announced that the Asian Lunar New Year would be designated as an official NYC school holiday.

From 2007 to 2010, Assemblyman Kim served as a Regional Director for Government and Community Affairs in the administrations of Governors Eliot Spitzer and David A. Paterson, where he collaborated and worked with a varied group of state agencies, elected officials, and community organizations. After leaving the Governor’s office, he worked as a legislative advocate for children with special needs, small business, and vulnerable New Yorkers. Prior to that, in 2006, Assemblyman Kim joined the staff of New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn as a Policy Analyst, writing and examining legislation on issues related to transportation, infrastructure, and economic development.

Assemblyman Kim began his career in public service in then-Councilmember John C. Liu’s office, focusing on quality-of-life issues in his beloved downtown Flushing community. He then moved on to become an aide to then-State Assemblyman Mark Weprin. After working in Assemblyman Weprin’s office, Assemblyman Kim joined the New York City Department of Buildings, followed by the Department of Small Business Services. In 2004, he was accepted into the National Urban Fellows Program, advising the Chief Education Office of the Chicago Public Schools while simultaneously earning his Masters in Public Administration from Baruch College.

The New York State Assembly is composed of 150 members who serve two-year terms. The 40th District includes portions of Whitestone, Flushing, College Point, and Murray Hill in Queens. The total population of the district is approximately 124,158, according to Census 2010 and the 2012-2016 American Community Survey. According to Daily Kos, in 2016, the district voted for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton (67.21%) over Republican candidate Donald Trump (30.28%). 

7. Daniel Pae, Oklahoma House of Representatives (District 62) Incumbent*

A son of Korean immigrants and a Lawton native, Representative Pae was elected in 2018 as Oklahoma’s first Asian-American to serve in the Oklahoma House and youngest state legislator at age 24. Rep. Pae defeated his Democratic opponent by 42 votes. 

He currently serves as the Vice-Chair of Government Efficiency, and he also serves on the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, the County and Municipal Government Committee, and the Appropriations and Budget Human Services subcommittee. 

Prior to running for office, Rep. Pae worked as an Administrative Assistant at Lawton Oklahoma, City Government since May 2017. Before that, Rep. Pae served as a legislator in the University of Oklahoma’s (OU) Undergraduate Student Congress before launching his successful campaign for Student Government Association (SGA) president. As president of the SGA in 2016, Rep. Pae worked to pass several reforms and bills. Rep. Pae instituted the Crimson Cruiser bike share program at OU aimed at helping alleviate parking problems on campus. He worked with the school’s Parking Services to get 75 bikes and 10 racks installed on campus. 

Rep. Pae graduated from OU in 2017 with a double major in economics and political science, minors in history and international studies, and a master’s degree in public administration. Prior to graduating, he worked as a legislative intern in the U.S. House of Representatives during the summer of 2016. 

The Oklahoma House of Representatives is composed of 101 members who serve two-year terms. The 62nd District covers the county of Comanche and the Lawton Metro area. The total population of the district is 37,363 as of the 2010 Census. According to Daily Kos, in 2016, the district voted for Republican candidate Donald Trump (50.19%) over Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton (44.21%). 

8. Patty Kim, Pennsylvania House of Representatives (District 103) Incumbent*

A daughter of Korean immigrants, a former news anchor, reporter and Harrisburg City Councilwoman, State Representative Patty Kim was first elected to the state House of Representatives in 2012. She is the first Asian-American to serve in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. 

During her first term, Rep. Kim was a leader in government reform and transparency. She returned her cost of living increase (COLA) and introduced a bill to eliminate the yearly pay increases. She is also one of the only members of the House to post all of her expenses on her legislative website for public review. 

Rep. Kim’s priorities in the General Assembly include taking a solution-based approach to statewide issues, working in cooperation and collaboration with colleagues, and utilizing her record of service to support initiatives that stand to better the lives of the citizens she represents.

Leading her caucus’ charge to provide a livable wage for all Pennsylvanians, in 2017 Rep. Kim introduced a bill to increase the minimum wage to $15.00 per hour. Twice before she introduced minimum wage bills. She continues her fight for a minimum wage increase to restore the middle class by lifting thousands of Pennsylvanians out of poverty.

Rep. Kim serves on the Appropriations, Education, Local Government, and Transportation committees. She also serves as the Democratic South East Delegation Vice-Chair of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, the Treasurer of the House Democratic Campaign Committee, and the Treasurer of the Capitol Preservation Committee. During her second term, she also served as Treasurer for the Legislative Black Caucus. 

Prior to her work in the legislature, Rep. Kim was elected to Harrisburg’s City Council where she served two terms. Her colleagues elected her as council Vice President during her second term. 

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is composed of 203 members who serve two-year terms. The 103rd District includes Harrisburg, Highspire, Paxtang, Steelton and parts of Swatara Township. The total population of the district is 63,465 according to Census 2010 and the 2012-2016 American Community Survey. According to Daily Kos, in 2016, the district voted for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton (78.28%) over Republican candidate Donald Trump (18.44%).

9. Cindy Ryu, Washington State House of Representatives (District 32) Incumbent*

Representative Cindy Ryu is serving her fifth term in the Washington State House of Representatives. While a Shoreline City Councilmember, she served as Mayor, becoming the first Korean American woman mayor in America. In Shoreline, she served as president of both the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce and its Dollars for Scholars Chapter, helped improve numerous public parks, build its first City Hall, and create Shoreline’s Green Business Program. Rep. Ryu is a 49- year resident of Washington State and lived previously in South Korea, Brunei, and the Philippines. She received a Bachelor of Science in microbiology and an MBA in operations management from the University of Washington, Seattle. 

Rep. Ryu chairs the Housing, Community Development & Veterans Committee, with jurisdiction over housing, community development, military and veteran issues, emergency preparedness, emergency response, and parks. She also serves on Appropriations and Consumer Protection & Business committees, is a Washington Tourism Marketing Authority Board Member, and Pacific Northwest Economic Region Delegate Council Alternate.

Rep. Ryu advocates for small business owners, public schools, public transportation, environmental and consumer protection and public safety. She seeks increased access to affordable housing and homeownership and welcomes ideas for implementable solutions to make Washington state a better place for us to live, work, and raise our families. Rep. Ryu also chairs the World Korean Political Forum (Former Overseas Korean Politicians Council) and serves as the Vice Chair of Women in Government, a national organization of women state legislators. 

The Washington House of Representatives is composed of 98 Representatives from 49 districts who serve two-year terms. The 32nd district includes NW Seattle, Shoreline, south Edmonds, Woodway, west Mountlake Terrace, and Lynnwood. The total population of the district is 143,953 according to Census 2010 and the 2012-2016 American Community Survey. According to Daily Kos, in 2016, the district voted for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton (71.67%) over Republican candidate Donald Trump (21.56%). 

Over the years, Rep. Ryu has spoken at the KAGC events on multiple occasions, including the main stage at the 2018 and 2019 KAGC National Conferences. 

10. Francesca Hong, Wisconsin State Assembly (District 76) 

A daughter of Korean immigrants and Wisconsin native, Ms. Francesca Hong is running for election to the Wisconsin State Assembly to represent District 76. Ms. Hong defeated her Democratic primary opponent by 7% of the votes, and is proceeding to the general election in November.

Prior to running for elected office, Ms. Hong has led a successful career in the service industry, becoming a full-time, professional chef in 2009. She eventually became one of the youngest and first female executive chefs at the 43 North Restaurant on King Street. Ms. Hong also co-founded the Culinary Ladies Collective (CLC) in 2016 and served as the president of its Board of Directors.

The Wisconsin State Assembly is composed of 99 members elected from one district each, serving two-year terms. The 76th District covers downtown and the east side of Madison. The total population of the district is 62,268 according to Census 2010 and the 2012-2016 American Community Survey. According to Daily Kos, in the 2016 presidential election, the district voted for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton (82.30%) over Republican Donald Trump (11.34%).

11. Dave K. Min California State Senate (District 37)

A first-generation Korean-American who grew up in California, Prof. Dave Min is a nationally-recognized expert on economic policy who has fought to protect and strengthen economic opportunity for working Americans for nearly two decades. Prof. Min worked as an enforcement attorney at the Securities and Exchange Commission, as an economic and financial policy advisor to Senator Chuck Schumer, and as an economic policy director at the Center for American Progress. He also teaches at the UC Irvine School of Law. 

Of three candidates in the primary election for California State Senate District 37, Prof. Min proceeded to the general election by placing second place with 78,923 votes.

Some of Prof. Min’s policy ideas include building on the foundational ideal of American innovation, as well as improving economic equity, environmental progress, and public education. Prof. Min’s campaign focuses on fighting for quality health care, championing quality education, and combating climate change.

The California State Senate is composed of 40 senators elected from one district each, serving four-year terms. The 37th District encompasses central Orange County, centered on the City of Irvine. The district contains a mix of coastal beaches, suburban sprawl, and the Santa Ana Mountains. The total population of the district is 992,046 according to Census 2010 and the 2012-2016 American Community Survey. According to Daily Kos, in the 2016 presidential election, the district voted for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton (50.05%) over Republican Donald Trump (43.95%).

12. Soo Hong, Georgia House of Representatives (District 102)

Born in Seoul and raised in Georgia, Ms. Soo Hong is running for election to the Georgia House of Representatives to represent District 102. She ran unchallenged for the Republican nomination and will proceed to the general election in November.

Prior to running for elected office, Ms. Hong had been an attorney for over a decade and is the owner of Hong & Sessions Law, LLC. in Gwinnett and Marietta. She has been repeatedly recognized by the legal community for her work with such honors as the Ross Adams Young Lawyer Award in 2015 by the Cobb County Bar Association, and was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2017 and 2018.

Ms. Hong regularly volunteers with Legal Aid to provide pro bono assistance to clients for both civil and criminal cases. She has also served for eight years as a bankruptcy instructor at the Chattahoochee Technical College.

The Georgia House of Representatives is composed of 180 members elected from one district each, serving two-year terms. The 102nd District is in northern Atlanta and covers a large area of Gwinnett County, including Sugar Hill, Suwanee, and Lawrenceville. The total population of the district is 57,088 according to Census 2010 and the 2012-2016 American Community Survey. According to Daily Kos, in the 2016 presidential election, the district voted for Republican candidate Donald Trump (49.43%) over Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton (45.67%).

13. Yesoe Yoon Illinois House of Representatives (District 17)

Born in Busan, South Korea, Ms. Yesoe Yoon came to the United States 15 years ago. Ms. Yoon advanced from the Republican primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 17 on March 17, 2020.  

She is currently the anchor and host for the Global Leaders Network TV Program on WIN TV 24.5. She was the first bilingual reporter for the Asian American Network News (AAN) when the Korean American Broadcasting Company (WOCH, CH-41) launched the network in 2005. 

Ms. Yoon earned her B.A. in Communication & Media, minor in Music (Classical Voice) from Northeastern Illinois University. She received a Master’s Degree in Public Administration (Government & International Management) from DePaul University in 2017. 

The Illinois House of Representatives is composed of 118 members from one district each, serving two-year terms. The 17th House District is located in the Chicagoland area and includes all or parts of Skokie, Evanston, Glenview, Golf, Morton Grove, Wilmette, and Northbrook. The total population of the district is 108,867 according to Census 2010 and the 2012-2016 American Community Survey. According to Daily Kos, in the 2016 presidential election, the district voted for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton (80.67%) over Republican Donald Trump (16.84%).

14. Justin Hwang, Oregon State Senate (District 25)

Born in South Korea, Justin Hwang is running for election to the Oregon State Senate to represent District 25. He won the Republican primary election with nearly 98% of the votes, and will appear on the ballot in the general election in November.

Prior to running for elected office, Mr. Hwang had been a restaurant owner and entrepreneur in the Portland metropolitan area since 2006. He now owns and operates over 30 restaurants in Portland.

Mr. Hwang is also involved in volunteering and leadership in the community. He is a regular volunteer feeding the homeless at the Zarepath Ministries in Gresham, and is a member of the Gresham Chamber of Commerce and the Gresham Rotary Club, and sits on multiple boards, including: the Mount Hood Community College Foundation, Mount Hood Medical Center Foundation, Korean Society of Oregon, and the Korean War Memorial Association.

The Oregon State Senate is composed of 30 senators elected from one district each, serving four-year terms. The 25th District covers much of eastern Portland, including Gresham. The total population of the district is 130,579 according to Census 2010 and the 2012-2016 American Community Survey. According to Daily Kos, in the 2016 presidential election, the district voted for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton (51.42%) over Republican Donald Trump (40.81%).

15. Steven Choi, Connecticut State Senate (District 22)

Born to Korean immigrants, Mr. Steven Choi is the Republican candidate running for election to the Connecticut State Senate to represent District 22. 

Mr. Choi is a member of the Trumbull Board of Finance. Prior to running for elected office, he had spent a decade working in international corporations. He is also involved in the family business, KBC Electronics in Milford, which provides electrical components to automakers and U.S. Department of Defense contractors.

A graduate of Trumbull Public Schools and the University of Connecticut, he earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Finance and a Master’s (MS) in Financial Risk Management.

The Connecticut State Senate is composed of 36 senators elected from one district each, serving two-year terms. The 22nd District includes Trumbull, Bridgeport, and Monroe. The total population of the district is 99,821 according to Census 2010 and the 2012-2016 American Community Survey. According to Daily Kos, in 2016, the district voted for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton (58.65%) over Republican Donald Trump (38.05%).

16. David Ryu, Los Angeles City Council (District 4) Incumbent*

Born in South Korea and raised in Los Angeles, Councilmember David Ryu was elected to the Los Angeles City Council in 2015 to become the first Korean American LA City Councilmember. In January 2020, Councilmember Ryu became President Pro Tempore of the City Council, becoming the first Korean American to hold a position in the City Council leadership.

Councilmember Ryu has long advocated for expanded opportunities for working-class families, immigrants, and the homeless, which he approached with such initiatives as the Children’s Savings Account program for bolstering greater access to education, proposals for systemic reform with regards to homelessness, and advocating for tenants’ rights during the pandemic. Notable pieces of legislation that Councilmember Ryu is responsible for include a Party House Ordinance, new rules to limit mansionization, new ways to empower small dollar donors, and much more.

Prior to becoming an LA Councilmember, he served as the Senior Deputy to LA County Supervisor Yvonne Burke, where he focused on issues like public health, housing, children and family services, transportation and senior services. Councilmember Ryu had also worked as a Special Investigator for the Auditor-Controller, where he monitored wasteful spending and fraudulent expenditures. He then accepted a position as the Director of Development and Public Affairs of the Kedren Acute Psychiatric Hospital and Community Health Center.

The Los Angeles City Council is composed of 15 Councilmembers elected from one district each, serving four-year terms. District 4 includes the neighborhoods of Sherman Oaks, Toluca Lake, Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, Los Feliz, Silverlake, Miracle Mile, Hancock Park, Windsor Square, Larchmont and a portion of Koreatown. The total population of the district is over 248,000 according to data provided by the office of the LA Controller. In the 2016 presidential election, the district and the surrounding county voted for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

17. Grace Yoo, Los Angeles City Council (District 10)

A first-generation Korean American and Los Angeles local, Ms. Grace Yoo is running for election to the Los Angeles City Council to represent the 10th District.

Prior to running for elected office, Ms. Yoo had spent 30 years as an attorney and was deeply involved in her community. As the Executive Director of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), Ms. Yoo expanded language access initiatives and worked to ensure that the bench reflected the diversity of the city. Ms. Yoo also has local government experience, as she served as Commissioner and Vice-President for the City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation. 

Ms. Yoo volunteers and serves on numerous boards, including the Sierra Club, St. Barnabas Senior Services and West Adams Heritage Association. She is also the co-founder of the Asian Jewish Initiative, Environmental Justice Collaborative and United Neighborhoods for Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles City Council is composed of 15 Councilmembers elected from one district each, serving four-year terms. District 10 is located in southern Central Los Angeles and northern South Los Angeles. The total population of the district is approximately 245,000 according to data provided by the office of the LA Controller. In the 2016 presidential election, the district and the surrounding county voted for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

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Stay tuned for the rest of the series:

• Korean American Elected Officials and Candidates: Federal-level Offices (released in September 2020)
• Korean American Elected Officials and Candidates: Local-level Office (to be uploaded in October 2020)