On Thursday evening, November 2, a broad spectrum of Virginia’s Asian American political and community leaders will gather to express strong support for Jim Webb, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate.

The speakers will announce an energetic grassroots Get-Out-The-Vote plan for turning out Asian Americans in one of the nation’s most closely watched races.  Recent polls have shown Webb with a narrow lead over Allen, and most political experts believe the final vote margin will remain slim.

If the Webb-Allen race remains close all the way through next Tuesday, the Asian American vote could potentially be the key to victory.  And, if Webb defeats the incumbent Republican Senator, this election could very well tip the balance of power in the United States Senate.

According to the 2000 U.S. Census figures, Asian Americans represent 4.3 percent of Virginia’s population.  Additionally, the number of Asian Americans in the Commonwealth grew at a rate of slightly over 50 percent from 1990 to 2000, making them the fastest growing ethnic group in Virginia.  The Asian American vote has never been more important.

Members of the press are invited to jump on this intriguing story, and to interview these and other local Asian American leaders:

 • Ingrid Morroy, Commissioner of Revenue, Arlington County
 • Joe Montano, Northern Virginia Organizer, Democratic National Committee
 • Namrata Mujumdar, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
 • Rose Chu, Co-chair, Fairfax County Democrats' Diversity Committee
 • Erika Moritsugu, Executive Director, Asian American Action Fund
 • Toby Chaudhuri, Senior Advisor, Indian American Leadership Institute
 • Eric Byler, Asian American Filmmaker & Real Virginians For Webb
 • Tuy Le, Real Virginians For Webb
 • Jackie Bong Wright, Activist, Reporter, and Writer
 • Many more elected officials and community leaders

*** Special Invited Guests ***

• U.S. Representative Mike Honda (D-CA, 15th District), Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee and Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, will call in by phone

• U.S. Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA, 3rd District), traveling downstate with Jim Webb, may also call in by phone

• Actor Daniel Dae Kim (from the hit TV show, “Lost,” and Oscar winner “Crash”) will send a special video message about the importance of the APIA vote