[VT | May 1, 2025 | Philadelphia PA]
The ChineseinUS (CUS) 2025 Meet the Candidates Forum, organized and hosted by CUS, was successfully held on April 19, 2025, in Center City Philadelphia at Asian Americans United (AAU, 1023 Callowhill St).
The event continued its mission of providing a platform for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community to engage directly with judicial and public office candidates through face-to-face dialogue.
Building “Participatory Democracy”: Connecting Community and Institutions Through Language Access
The forum provided bilingual services in English and Chinese with live interpretation, effectively lowering language and information barriers. This enabled immigrants and seniors with limited English proficiency to actively participate in civic discussions and the electoral process, fostering more inclusive civic engagement.
In 2023, ChineseinUS organized the first—and at the time the only—bilingual (Chinese–English) candidate forum in the United States specifically serving AAPI communities. The forum was held again in 2025, continuing this model of civic engagement.
This format helps voters better understand candidates’ backgrounds and positions, while also strengthening community understanding of how the judicial system operates, enabling more informed participation in elections.
Moderation and Interpretation: Ensuring Inclusive Participation
The event was moderated by Eileen Wang, President of the Student Bar Association at Delaware Law School and a judicial intern at the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, who also led the English-language questioning.
Community interpreter Nanmei Zheng provided live consecutive interpretation throughout the forum, ensuring that participants from different language backgrounds could fully understand candidate responses and actively engage in the discussion.
The bilingual format allowed attendees not only to listen, but also to directly ask questions and participate in dialogue, enhancing both accessibility and interaction.
Candidates in Attendance
According to ChineseinUS, the following candidates and representatives were invited and/or attended:
🏛️ District Attorney Candidate
- Pat Dugan (former judge, resigned to run)
Court of Common Pleas Candidates
- Will Braveman (represented by Curtiss Bazemore)
- Sarah Jones
- Kia Ghee, Esq.
- Irina Ehrlich
- Larry Farnese
Municipal Court Candidates
- Sherrie Cohen
- Amanda Davidson
Key Issues Discussed: Public Safety, Housing, and Judicial Fairness
The forum addressed a range of issues directly impacting the community, including:
- Public Safety
- Affordable Housing & Landlord–Tenant Issues
- Education
- Economic Opportunity & Workforce Development
- Public Health & Community Well-being
- Sanitation, Environment & Urban Infrastructure
- Equity, fairness, and inclusion in the judicial system
Court of Common Pleas Candidates: Judicial Philosophy and Community Engagement
During the Court of Common Pleas segment, candidates introduced their backgrounds and shared their judicial philosophies:
- Will Braveman emphasized labor rights, protections for vulnerable populations, and building a more inclusive judicial system, while committing to continued engagement with diverse communities including the Chinese community.
- Sarah Jones highlighted her experience in criminal defense and family law, emphasizing that judges should not only apply the law but also understand the real-life circumstances of individuals.
- Kia Ghee, Esq. stressed fairness, accessibility, and ensuring that marginalized communities are heard within the legal system.
- Irina Ehrlich focused on procedural justice and transparency as key to maintaining public trust in the courts.
- Larry Farnese emphasized public safety, community service, and strengthening trust in the judicial system.
Municipal Court Candidates: Addressing Everyday Justice
Municipal Court handles many of the cases residents encounter most frequently, including landlord-tenant disputes and minor offenses.
- Sherrie Cohen emphasized public interest law, housing issues, and ensuring equitable access to legal resources.
- Amanda Davidson highlighted her broad experience in criminal and civil law, emphasizing fairness, clarity in rulings, and support for self-represented and limited-English-proficient individuals.
District Attorney Candidate
- Pat Dugan shared his 17 years of judicial experience and stated that his campaign is driven by concerns about public safety.
He emphasized priorities including:
- Improving prosecutorial efficiency
- Strengthening enforcement against violent and economic crimes
- Enhancing collaboration with law enforcement and communities
He also pledged to continue engaging directly with diverse communities, including the Chinese community.
Chinese American Landlords Speak Out: Concerns Over System Efficiency
During the public Q&A session, several Chinese American landlords raised key concerns:
Delayed Evictions
Landlord Andy Liu noted that eviction timelines have extended from about three months to nearly a year.
Delays in Sheriff Sale Property Transfers
Investors pointed out that ownership transfers after sheriff sales can take over a year, creating legal and financial uncertainty.
Some participants also criticized inefficiencies and poor communication within administrative systems.
Candidates Respond: Limitations and Potential Improvements
Candidates acknowledged that judges cannot directly control administrative agencies but can:
- Expedite case handling
- Communicate systemic issues to relevant authorities
- Support simplifying procedures for self-represented litigants
Community Safety as a Shared Responsibility
Candidates proposed solutions including:
- More effective prosecution of violent crime
- Strengthening police-community communication
- Encouraging neighborhood-based safety networks
- Expanding youth intervention and mental health programs
They emphasized that public safety is a shared responsibility among government, courts, and residents.
Community Leaders Call for Participation
At the conclusion of the forum, community leaders including:
- Zhang Ziai, Secretary-Pennsylvania United Chinese Coalition
- Mabel “Chi” Chan, senior member of the North America Xiesheng Association
- Wang Yuming, Honorary Secretary-General
encouraged community members to participate in elections.
They stated:
“The names you see today may be the judges presiding over your cases in the future.”
“Remember who you trust and who you can reach. Vote for those willing to come into the community and engage face-to-face.”
“This is about fairness and justice for the entire Chinese community in the Greater Philadelphia region.”
Connecting Voters and the System
“Before deciding who to vote for, know who will be sitting on the bench.”
At the end of the forum, moderator Eileen Wang, organizers, and community leaders reminded attendees:
To vote in the May 20 primary, voters must register in advance and select a party affiliation; the November general election does not require party registration.
On-site voter registration and assistance were provided by Asian Americans United and the Committee of Seventy, including Chinese-language support.
From Community Dialogue to Civic Participation: A Continuing Model
This forum not only provided a platform for dialogue, but also extended a model first established in 2023.
As the first—and at the time the only—bilingual (Chinese–English) candidate forum for AAPI communities in the United States, the initiative created a pathway for civic participation that continues to develop.
Through language access, direct engagement, and voter education, the forum enables communities to better understand institutions and participate in public life.
This forum was not only a dialogue between candidates and the community, but also a reflection of the principles of Every Voice, Every Vote (EVEV).
Through language access, direct engagement, and voter education, the event helped ensure that communities of different backgrounds can better understand the system, participate in civic life, and make informed decisions.
Supporting Organizations
The event was supported by:
- Every Voice, Every Vote (EVEV)
- Committee of Seventy
- Asian Americans United
These partnerships demonstrate how collaboration between media, community organizations, and civic engagement groups can expand access to democracy.
Organizer’s Remarks
ChineseinUS founder Hong Yuebing stated:
“We want to bring everyone onto the same platform so candidates truly face the community. We encourage more Chinese Americans to participate—for our community and for the next generation.”
