Peter Koo, president of the Flushing Chinese Business Association, announced on February 22 that he will challenge the current State Senator Toby Stavisky for District 16.
Koo made an announcement while his wife and daughter stood next to him. The chair of the Queens Republican Party Phil Ragusa, Martin Golden, the state senator for District 22 in Brooklyn, and leaders in the Chinese community showed their support for Koo’s decision to run.
For his election campaign, Koo borrowed Barack Obama’s message of change. According to him, the residents of District 16 were tired of politicians who only cared about the election race, defeating challengers and special interests, and are not interested in fighting for voters’ rights. It was a time for a change. He said he loves his family and Queens and believes that he would be a good leader for the people of District 16.
In yesterday’s campaign announcement, Koo said that he would fight to increase the budgets for local hospitals and healthcare institutions, increase the police force, ensure public safety, reduce taxes for the middle class, promote job opportunities and economic expansion, and rebuild Forrest Hills. He hoped to work to increase the budget for schools while preventing overdevelopment.
If Koo wins the election, he will become the first Chinese-American and first Asian-American state senator. However, Koo emphasized that he did not simply want to be regarded as an Asian-American state senator. He hopes to be able to transcend racial and party lines and contribute to all the residents in the district.
According to Koo, when he first came to the United States, he had nothing. Because of hard work, he was able to realize his American Dream. In this election, like everything that he has done, he will try to succeed. He hopes that the voters will elect him and help him to improve the quality of life in Queens. At yesterday’s press conference, Koo, who had the presence of a politician and joked during his speech, declared that his decision to run for the state senate was a gift for his wife, whose birthday was yesterday.
