Two thousand and seventeen is the total number of individuals who have ever served in the U.S. Senate in history, and only ten of them have been Asian American and Pacific Islander.

Throughout nearly 250 years of American “democracy,” in a branch of government that claims to represent every corner of this country, the voices of Asian American communities have barely ever been heard. Ten out of 2,017. It’s not just a statistic. It’s a story of exclusion, resilience, and a fight that’s far from over.

“We definitely see more Asian candidates now than we have in prior years, but I don’t necessarily think their views are fully representative of the Asian population,” said Carlmont senior Sweekriti Ratnam.

In a nation where nearly 25 million people identify as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI), which is around 7% of the total population, the absence of representation in formal political institutions becomes clear.

“Another thing that I always try to keep in mind is that Asian Americans are far from monolithic, encompassing numerous cultures and political leanings,” said Supriya Patel, a Stanford University sophomore and political science major.

AAPIs are much more diverse than many think. This community includes over 50 ethnic groups that speak over 100 languages, from Chinese, Indian, and Filipino Americans to Samoan, Hmong, and Vietnamese.

Yet, despite their growing numbers and increasing civic involvement, Asian Americans remain one of the most underrepresented groups in American politics.

The path to representation

Historically, AAPI political candidates have faced challenges when navigating cultural expectations, fighting stereotypes, and running in districts where they are seen as outsiders, even if they were born there.

For Belmont Mayor Julia Mates, politics began not with ambition, but with service.

“It started out with being a community volunteer – a parent volunteer in my children’s school, then a classroom volunteer, and then volunteering for opportunities that came up in the school at large,” Mates said. “I started off at the City of Belmont Planning Commission, then became Chair, and eventually ran for City Council. It happened organically, with the need to give back to my community.”

As a Chinese American and Jewish woman, Mates acknowledges her background and how it influences her experience; however, she doesn’t let it hinder her ambition and leadership.

“Coming into political spaces as a Chinese American and Jewish woman presents opportunities to make sure people know my identity, but also that it’s secondary to who I am as a leader,” Mates said.

Despite this, her heritage remains a strong influence in her life, providing a foundation upon which to build her values.

“Even though I have deep traditions that emphasize academics, family, and community, it’s important to remember that all ethnicities and heritages share those types of values,” Mates said. “My values help me represent people of all backgrounds.”

Barriers that persist

While many advancements have been made, systemic racism continues to cause Asian Americans in politics to struggle in comparison to their white counterparts.

“Media coverage plays a huge role. When the media highlights Asian American leaders, it encourages others to see themselves in those spaces,” Ratnam said. 

Unfortunately, the media can also be used as a way to spread hate and increase racism.

“A couple of weeks ago, an Indian man was beheaded, and I didn’t see any news coverage on it. When I did, the comments online about it were honestly devastating,” Ratnam said.

Still, signs of change are emerging. AAPI voter turnout hit record highs in the latest elections, according to a study done by the Pew Research Center.

“Asian Americans are an increasingly large voting bloc, especially in California. This representation has been incredibly encouraging and will hopefully spur more Asian Americans to get involved in the political process. One recent win that stuck out to me was Andy Kim’s 2024 victory in the New Jersey Senate Race, when he became the first Korean American elected to the Senate,” Patel said.

The Asian population in California is approximately 7 million people, which accounts for almost 20% of its population, making it the state with the largest Asian population. Due to this, local and state governments are increasingly electing more successful Asian political candidates.

“I’d say at the local level, Redwood City’s former mayor Jeff Gee really inspired me,” Ratnam said. “He was so open and unapologetic about his Asian identity. It showed me that we can be leaders, that our culture can coexist with public service.”

The momentum is growing, but the numbers remain disappointing. At every level of government, from city hall to Capitol Hill, AAPI representatives are few and far between. However, representation isn’t just about numbers, but rather about voice, policy, and visibility. 

“It’s important to have people of all backgrounds and perspectives in government. When you’re discussing issues that affect communities, you need people from different experiences at the table,” Mates said.

The next generation

Today’s AAPI political leaders are breaking through barriers, but they are also laying the groundwork for those to follow in the future. Their victories, while significant, are not the end goal, but the beginning of a much longer journey.

“After graduation, I hope to attend law school and help shape policy,” Patel said. “Many people my age feel disillusioned with politics, and I get it, but government is still one of the most powerful tools for creating systemic change.” 

Young people are at the heart of this new push for inclusion. Students like Patel and Ratnam are learning to navigate identity, activism, and civic engagement simultaneously.

“In my family, we used to focus more on economic issues, but now we talk more about race, gender, and intersectionality. It’s hard to separate politics from human rights anymore,” Ratnam said.

While the fight for Asian Americans in California may be slowly becoming more successful, other minorities continue to struggle, as well as people with overlapping minority traits, which is called intersectionality.

“We’re doing much better on the national scene, but we still have a long way to go,” Mates said. “I like to talk about the intersectionality of all of us, LGBTQ+ Asian Americans, Asian Americans with disabilities, people of different income levels, and educational backgrounds. We shouldn’t see each other as separate silos.”

Due to factors like stereotypes and remaining institutionalized discrimination, many Asian Americans are discouraged from running, despite growing opportunities.

“Stereotypes, especially ones perpetuated within our own communities, really impact how Asians see politics. We’re often not seen as disruptors or changemakers, like we’re expected to follow a conventional path to success, usually in the private sector,” Ratnam said.

One of the reasons for these stereotypes is once again rooted in the media, with little representation of Asian people in power. 

“Visibility is one of the biggest parts of increasing representation. Seeing powerful Asian candidates at all levels of government sets a precedent and helps remove the stigma around being a changemaker,” Ratnam said.

As more AAPI candidates take charge, more can become inspired and begin to fight for further representation.

For Mates, the message is simple.

“Do it,” Mates said. “Go in with the idea that you want to serve and be useful. You won’t always get credit or recognition, but it’s both incredibly challenging and satisfying at the same time.”