By Soo Hong, Candidate for Georgia State House District 103

My parents taught me that sacrifice and hard work – along with a little thrift – give everyone a chance to achieve the American Dream. They have lived those values since the moment they arrived here after legally immigrating from South Korea when I was 10 years old. Like thousands of Asian American sons and daughters living in Gwinnett County, I am proof that the American Dream is real.

Over the last year, we have seen a rapid erosion of the American Dream under Joe Biden and the Democrats. Many of us are left wondering if we can pay the bills at the end of the month, fill our gas tanks, or afford to provide the educational opportunities our kids deserve. Asian Americans are resilient, but the challenges we face as a community are disastrous.

Democrats rely on the Asian American vote but their policies have directly hurt our community.

That is why I decided to run as a Republican to represent District 103 as the first Korean American woman in the State House. I want to restore economic opportunity, protect parental rights in the classroom, and increase public safety for every family in Gwinnett County.

The first pillar of the American Dream is economic opportunity. Unfortunately, this is crumbling as prices have skyrocketed under Democrats’ leadership. The Atlanta metro area has seen the second-highest inflation rate of any city in the United States under Joe Biden with a crippling 10.6% increase. This means families are increasingly struggling to get the groceries they need, fill their gas tank, and save for the future.

This crippling rise in inflation threatens our ability to run our small businesses and balance our family budgets.

While Democrats squander any change at economic recovery, Republican policies are leading to strong, lasting economic growth. Out of the top 10 states for jobs recovered since the pandemic, all 10 have Republican-controlled legislatures. We must continue this growth by eliminating the state income tax and balancing the state budget.

The second pillar of the American Dream is education. Like many Asian American parents, my parents worked hard so I could get an education that allowed me to attend college and go on to law school. This sacrifice reminds me every day of what education can do for any child.

Republicans believe parents have every right to be involved in their child’s education and should be given a choice of where to send their child to school. Democrats continue to
oppose school choice and have even supported teaching critical race theory to young children right here in Gwinnett County. We must stop this radical ideology and empower parents at every step to make the best decisions for their children.

I am proud that Republicans have shown up months before election day – and far before Democrats – to reach out and listen to Asian American voters. In Berkeley Lake, the Republican National Committee opened an Asian Pacific American community center as a permanent investment in our community.

These community centers are hubs of political action where volunteers can make phone calls, organize to knock on doors, and effect change in our community. Most importantly, these centers allow Asian Americans to reach out to neighbors and fight for the ideas that empowered so many of us to achieve the American Dream.

Recent trends show that Republicans are making inroads with Asian American voters. Between the 2016 and 2020 elections, the GOP gained 7% with Asian American voters and more recent elections have shown that this shift is accelerating.

We must make sure that this momentum continues right here in Gwinnett County.

As a proud Korean American woman, I will fight in the State House for the values that allowed my parents and so many other Asian American families to succeed and achieve the American Dream. Republicans extend a warm welcome to all Asian Americans to get involved at our local RNC community center and make a difference. I look forward to hearing from you soon!