This narrative was written as a first person's experience that offers additional insight of Dr. Esther Lee's congressional campaign in 1991-1992.
I had been very active in the Republican Party since 1980 but never dreamed about running for public office because of my language and cultural “handicaps.” I have mentioned earlier regarding my initial involvement in community affairs in spring 1972 and political arena in 1978. Unexpected, I was encouraged to run for Congress at the suggestion of Ron Kaufman, the political director of Bush’s White House in 1991 while I was serving President Bush as the Deputy Director of the OBEMLA (Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Language Affairs) of the US Department of Education beginning in June 1990. It was not an impressive appointment because I supported Senator Robert Dole during the GOP Primary in 1998. The major reasons for me to take side with an non-Texan in Texas are: 1) Senator’s recognition of Asian Americans’ accomplishments in the USA and 2) His desire to involve Asian Americans’ in the political and legislative process.
In order to seek a better appointment during Bush’s second term to commemorate with my credentials and background, I decided to campaign harder than ever to cumulate more “chips” for President Bush’s reelection. In the early spring 1991, I went to see Mr. Kaufman and sought his advice regarding my role in the upcoming reelection of President Bush. I asked him if I should stay in Washington, DC or return back to Houston to campaign for President Bush. Since President Bush’s popularity was in the peak after the victory of the Desert Storm, Ron felt the President was very safe to be reelected without any problem. However, he pointed out that the Democratic controlled Congress needed more Republicans to support President’s agenda. He suggested that I ran for Congress in Houston.
It was a struggle for me whether I should take Ron’s advice. I prayed and analyzed a lot after the meeting with him. I even retreated to the Holiday Inn in Chevy Chase in NW of Washington, DC to seek God’s guidance. Finally, I decided to run as a calling and mission in the summer of 1991. I felt it was about the time for Chinese Americans to be visible in the national political arena, especially, the Republican Party. At that time, there was no Chinese American congressman representing the growing Chinese American population in the US. Most of Chinese or Asian American elected officials at state level was affiliated with the Democratic Party including all Japanese American legislators in Congress. I was not afraid to lose because I strongly believed that the foundation I laid would lead Chinese/Asian Americans to a higher ground. It was my goal to inspire and galvanize the Chinese/Asian Americans, particularly the younger generation regardless of the outcome of my campaign. I believe that it was like building a pyramid, every bit of political participation would carry us closer to the peak.
There were four political advantages to my candidacy: 1) Redistricting in Texas after the 1990 census added three more congressional seats. 2) The newly drawn district consisted more middle class and professional voters than before. 3) The popularity of an incumbent Republican President would enhance the victory of a Republican candidate. 4) The 1992 GOP National Convention held in Houston would provide Republican candidates with more media exposure than usual.
Immediately, I resigned from the US Department of Education (USDOE) position and resumed my teaching at University of Houston/Clear Lake (UHCL) in fall, 1991. Before I left USDOE, I was invited by the UHCL president to be their summer commencement speaker in August.
Soon upon my return to UHCL, I contacted my friends around the country to organize fund raising events throughout the country in the fall, 1991. As a popular newspaper columnist with the World Journal with worldwide circulation, I was able to hold 14 fundraising dinners in several major cities, i.e., New York City, Los Angels, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Phoenix, Chicago, Albany, NY, Dallas, and Washington, DC. My reputation as an political activist at both state and national levels also attracted and galvanized many Chinese immigrants. I pointed out the dire needs for Chinese Americans to take part in the mainstream politics based on the historical lessons and the fact of having no representation in the Congress. I shared my conviction to Chinese Americans’ political participation and my struggles in the Republican Party with my contributors. I informed them with great optimism that I had the support of the local Jewish and Black communities in Houston even though they traditionally voted for the Democrats. They felt a minority Congresswoman will certainly better represent them than a white Democrat and pledged their support after the primary. The challenge for me was to win the primary and then the minority groups in the district could vote for me during the general election where no separated voting places for Democrats and Republicans. Although I could not guarantee of my victory I assured my supporters that my campaign will pave the way for future generations. Indeed my campaign inspired many Chinese American who started running for local, state and federal offices soon after my close call defeat. Those candidates finally realized that it was possible to run and even to win an election. Meanwhile, those Chinese American community leaders who took part in her campaign and fundraising efforts became involved in partisan politics and made great stride.
My primary opponent was Dolly Madison McKenna, a white investment banker. She was not active in the Republican Women’s Club and did not live in the district at all. She did not live in Houston as long as Esther did. Yet, she had the support of the lily white Republican Women including the Bay Area club which I had contributed my time, and leadership for various campaign functions greatly for years. Obviously, race was a major factor when it came to compete. At that time, the Roll Call magazine in Washington, DC pointed out this congressional primary was unprecedented expensive one in GOP history. At the end, the difference between McKenna and me was only around 1200 votes.
Houston Chinese Americans could have delivered the difference of 600 votes – divided the 1200 votes by two, if they had the faith and commitment to my campaign. A year earlier, a native young female Chinese American ran for Houston City Council but only got 6% of the votes. Thus, local Chinese Americans did not expect that I could have a close race and felt no need to come out to vote for her. As a result of this close race, many Chinese Americans realized that they should not have underestimated their own candidates and political strength.
Possibly this lesson paved the road for two future Chinese American city council persons within two years and one state representative within six years. They were all American born Chinese and have no language barrier.
As I predicted and promised, my campaign did have the ripple effect in the political arena. Chinese Americans are no longer exploited by the Democrat Party and are equally represented and recognized in the Republican Party. In 2000, Republican President Bush had one Chinese and one Japanese American cabinet member: Secretary Elaine Chao of the Labor Department and Secretary Norman Mineta of the Transportation Department. No previous administration, either Democrat or Republican, had any Asian American cabinet member.
After losing the primary in March, I went to the White House and visited the political director, Mr. Ron Kaufman. Upon Ron’s recommendation, I was appointed to serve as the National Coordinator for Asian/Pacific American Coalition for Bush/Quayle ‘92 and worked full-time at the campaign HQ in Washington, DC from June until November 3, 1992.
I had been very active in the Republican Party since 1980 but never dreamed about running for public office because of my language and cultural “handicaps.” I have mentioned earlier regarding my initial involvement in community affairs in spring 1972 and political arena in 1978. Unexpected, I was encouraged to run for Congress at the suggestion of Ron Kaufman, the political director of Bush’s White House in 1991 while I was serving President Bush as the Deputy Director of the OBEMLA (Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Language Affairs) of the US Department of Education beginning in June 1990. It was not an impressive appointment because I supported Senator Robert Dole during the GOP Primary in 1998. The major reasons for me to take side with an non-Texan in Texas are: 1) Senator’s recognition of Asian Americans’ accomplishments in the USA and 2) His desire to involve Asian Americans’ in the political and legislative process.
In order to seek a better appointment during Bush’s second term to commemorate with my credentials and background, I decided to campaign harder than ever to cumulate more “chips” for President Bush’s reelection. In the early spring 1991, I went to see Mr. Kaufman and sought his advice regarding my role in the upcoming reelection of President Bush. I asked him if I should stay in Washington, DC or return back to Houston to campaign for President Bush. Since President Bush’s popularity was in the peak after the victory of the Desert Storm, Ron felt the President was very safe to be reelected without any problem. However, he pointed out that the Democratic controlled Congress needed more Republicans to support President’s agenda. He suggested that I ran for Congress in Houston.
It was a struggle for me whether I should take Ron’s advice. I prayed and analyzed a lot after the meeting with him. I even retreated to the Holiday Inn in Chevy Chase in NW of Washington, DC to seek God’s guidance. Finally, I decided to run as a calling and mission in the summer of 1991. I felt it was about the time for Chinese Americans to be visible in the national political arena, especially, the Republican Party. At that time, there was no Chinese American congressman representing the growing Chinese American population in the US. Most of Chinese or Asian American elected officials at state level was affiliated with the Democratic Party including all Japanese American legislators in Congress. I was not afraid to lose because I strongly believed that the foundation I laid would lead Chinese/Asian Americans to a higher ground. It was my goal to inspire and galvanize the Chinese/Asian Americans, particularly the younger generation regardless of the outcome of my campaign. I believe that it was like building a pyramid, every bit of political participation would carry us closer to the peak.
There were four political advantages to my candidacy: 1) Redistricting in Texas after the 1990 census added three more congressional seats. 2) The newly drawn district consisted more middle class and professional voters than before. 3) The popularity of an incumbent Republican President would enhance the victory of a Republican candidate. 4) The 1992 GOP National Convention held in Houston would provide Republican candidates with more media exposure than usual.
Immediately, I resigned from the US Department of Education (USDOE) position and resumed my teaching at University of Houston/Clear Lake (UHCL) in fall, 1991. Before I left USDOE, I was invited by the UHCL president to be their summer commencement speaker in August.
Soon upon my return to UHCL, I contacted my friends around the country to organize fund raising events throughout the country in the fall, 1991. As a popular newspaper columnist with the World Journal with worldwide circulation, I was able to hold 14 fundraising dinners in several major cities, i.e., New York City, Los Angels, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Phoenix, Chicago, Albany, NY, Dallas, and Washington, DC. My reputation as an political activist at both state and national levels also attracted and galvanized many Chinese immigrants. I pointed out the dire needs for Chinese Americans to take part in the mainstream politics based on the historical lessons and the fact of having no representation in the Congress. I shared my conviction to Chinese Americans’ political participation and my struggles in the Republican Party with my contributors. I informed them with great optimism that I had the support of the local Jewish and Black communities in Houston even though they traditionally voted for the Democrats. They felt a minority Congresswoman will certainly better represent them than a white Democrat and pledged their support after the primary. The challenge for me was to win the primary and then the minority groups in the district could vote for me during the general election where no separated voting places for Democrats and Republicans. Although I could not guarantee of my victory I assured my supporters that my campaign will pave the way for future generations. Indeed my campaign inspired many Chinese American who started running for local, state and federal offices soon after my close call defeat. Those candidates finally realized that it was possible to run and even to win an election. Meanwhile, those Chinese American community leaders who took part in her campaign and fundraising efforts became involved in partisan politics and made great stride.
My primary opponent was Dolly Madison McKenna, a white investment banker. She was not active in the Republican Women’s Club and did not live in the district at all. She did not live in Houston as long as Esther did. Yet, she had the support of the lily white Republican Women including the Bay Area club which I had contributed my time, and leadership for various campaign functions greatly for years. Obviously, race was a major factor when it came to compete. At that time, the Roll Call magazine in Washington, DC pointed out this congressional primary was unprecedented expensive one in GOP history. At the end, the difference between McKenna and me was only around 1200 votes.
Houston Chinese Americans could have delivered the difference of 600 votes – divided the 1200 votes by two, if they had the faith and commitment to my campaign. A year earlier, a native young female Chinese American ran for Houston City Council but only got 6% of the votes. Thus, local Chinese Americans did not expect that I could have a close race and felt no need to come out to vote for her. As a result of this close race, many Chinese Americans realized that they should not have underestimated their own candidates and political strength.
Possibly this lesson paved the road for two future Chinese American city council persons within two years and one state representative within six years. They were all American born Chinese and have no language barrier.
As I predicted and promised, my campaign did have the ripple effect in the political arena. Chinese Americans are no longer exploited by the Democrat Party and are equally represented and recognized in the Republican Party. In 2000, Republican President Bush had one Chinese and one Japanese American cabinet member: Secretary Elaine Chao of the Labor Department and Secretary Norman Mineta of the Transportation Department. No previous administration, either Democrat or Republican, had any Asian American cabinet member.
After losing the primary in March, I went to the White House and visited the political director, Mr. Ron Kaufman. Upon Ron’s recommendation, I was appointed to serve as the National Coordinator for Asian/Pacific American Coalition for Bush/Quayle ‘92 and worked full-time at the campaign HQ in Washington, DC from June until November 3, 1992.
Bio Intro
Letters to Voters
Fundraiser events around the nation
Promotional Materials
Mailouts
Photos of Some Campaign Activities
Collected News Clippings
Letters to Voters
Sister Shu-Min Hsieh's Writings for Esther's Congressional Campaign 1992
Sample of Opponent's Mailouts