CAPA21 (capa21.com), an Asian Pacific American political action committee, named Tamlyn Tomita, Maeley Tom, and Ginger Lew as new co-chairs, joining co-founder Dale Minami as leaders of the PAC.
CAPA21 was co-founded by Minami and Glen S. Fukushima in 2013 and has roots in the Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans, founded in 1988 as one of country’s first Asian Pacific American PACs. CAPA21 invests in progressive candidates, AAPI field operations, and projects to improve AAPI participation in the political process.
Since 2013, CAPA21 has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars to candidates and committees that support Asian Pacific Americans and our priorities.
Maeley Tom holds the unique distinction of breaking the glass ceiling twice in both houses in the California State Legislature and earned the nickname as the “political godmother” of the Asian Pacific Islander community because of her dynamic leadership. Now retired, Maeley recently wrote a book, “I’m Not Who You Think I Am: An Asian American Woman’s Political Journey,” to share the positive sides of her struggles in climbing the political ladder, self-knowledge and sacrifices, as well as share heartfelt advice to the next generation of policymakers.
Ginger Lew is CEO of Three Oaks Investments LLC, served as Senior Counselor to the White House National Economic Council until October 2011. She provided economic policy advice on a broad range of matters, including innovation, commercialisation, small business, capital access and formation of entrepreneurship policies. She also co-chaired the White House Interagency Group on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. She was also appointed by Secretary Hillary Clinton to serve on the Board of Governors of the East West Centre.
Tamlyn Tomita is an actor an activist, now as well-known for her advocacy of Asian American issues as she is for starring in “The Karate Kid Part II,” “The Good Doctor,” and “Star Trek: Picard.” In 2020, Tamlyn served as one of California’s 55 representatives to the electoral college who cast votes for Joe Biden for President and Kamala Harris for Vice President. California’s electors gave Biden/Harris the electoral college votes they needed to pass the 270-vote threshold. Congresswoman Judy Chu selected Tamlyn for the honor to represent California’s 27th Congressional District on recommendations by Maeley Tom and Dale Minami.
CAPA21 