{"id":4768,"date":"2020-11-09T01:00:37","date_gmt":"2020-11-09T11:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/?p=4768"},"modified":"2020-12-05T06:48:43","modified_gmt":"2020-12-05T16:48:43","slug":"biden-wins-presidency-blangiardi-wins-race-for-mayor-of-honolulu-fil-ams-win-in-state-and-county-races","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thefilipinochronicle.com\/backup\/2020\/11\/09\/biden-wins-presidency-blangiardi-wins-race-for-mayor-of-honolulu-fil-ams-win-in-state-and-county-races\/","title":{"rendered":"Biden Wins Presidency, Blangiardi Wins Race For Mayor Of Honolulu, Fil-Ams Win In State And County Races"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Edwin Quinabo<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
U.S. President-Elect Joe Biden and U.S. Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris<\/sub><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There was no blue or red wave in the 2020 general election. Instead, there were two tidal waves that swept through the country.

Two sides of America almost equally passionate and determined went to the polls or voted by mail in numbers that shattered voter-turnout in all previous elections.

Following four days of vote-counting, Joseph Biden Jr. reached the 270 electoral votes marker and will be the 46th president of the United States.

President Trump has not conceded and vows to fight the election results. Legal challenges have been launched and the nation could experience a post-election battle like never seen before.

The next few days, weeks will speed up in a fury if Trump doesn\u2019t have a change of heart. Legal suits, possible recounts, investigations into vote counting centers\u2019 transparency and procedures, and looking into possible mail-in voting irregularities \u2013 all of them must be completed before each state\u2019s certification (the process by which the results of an election are made official) deadline. For most states that date falls in the last week of November.

Experts find Trump\u2019s challenge a longshot to reversing anything considering how far behind he is. It\u2019s not the same as contesting one state to reverse an outcome as Al Gore tried with Florida. Trump would need a combination of three or four states to turn the election in his favor.

The institution of the nation\u2019s elections process will be tested. For millions of Americans the hope is that political and legal maneuvering will not forever taint this most sacred feature in American democracy. Only time will tell.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Biden on transition
<\/strong>Biden is already poised to move quickly on transition and is said to be working behind-the-scenes to push supporters, allies in the Senate, and Republicans to validate the sanctity of the election and bring them aboard to make a smooth exchange of power.

He also made clear that a Trump\u2019s concession is not necessary to move forward. Biden\u2019s campaign spokesman Andrew Bates said, \u201cThe American people will decide this election. And the United States government is perfectly capable of escorting trespassers out of the White House.\u201d

Biden\u2019s campaign said he does not plan to wait for any of Trump\u2019s legal challenges and intends to immediately shift into mode of President-elect.

Biden encouraged Americans to stay calm. \u201cEach ballot must be counted, and that\u2019s how it should be. Democracy is sometimes messy, it sometimes requires a little patience as well,\u201d he said.

Trump alleges cheating, files lawsuits<\/strong>
On the night of the General Election Trump prematurely claimed victory even as millions of Americans votes — mostly mail-in votes that election experts say were primarily Democrat votes — had yet to be counted.

Two days later, in a press conference he repeated that he won the election and accused Democrats of cheating and trying to steal the election. But he offered no evidence to support his claims.

\u201cIf you count the legal votes, I easily win,\u201d said Trump.

Major news organizations ABC, CBS, NBC and MSNBC all stopped airing his speech because network heads believed it was filled with lies about the election and vote-counting process.

In his drive to contest the election results, Trump has mounted a legal blitz, filing lawsuits in several battleground states.

Trump said, \u201cWe think there\u2019s going to be a lot of litigation, because we have so much evidence, so much proof. And it\u2019s going to end up perhaps at the highest court in the land. We\u2019ll see. But we think there will be a lot of litigation, because we can\u2019t have an election stolen like this.\u201d

Trump campaign legal adviser Harmeet Dhillion said the campaign hopes new Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barret will help Trump win the presidency if a case makes it to the Supreme Court.

\u201cWe\u2019re waiting for the United States Supreme Court, which \u2014 of which the president has nominated three justices, to step in and do something. And hopefully Amy Coney Barrett will come through.\u201d

A superior court judge in Georgia already dismissed one of Trump\u2019s lawsuits. Superior Court Judge James F. Bass, Jr. wrote that \u201cthere is no evidence that the ballots referenced in the petition were received after 7 p.m. on Election Day, thereby making those ballots invalid. Additionally, there is no evidence that the Chatham County Board of Elections or the Chatham County Board of Registrars has failed to comply with the law.\u201d

Critics say Trump\u2019s complaints are inconsistent. On the night of the general, he has called for vote counting to stop. Then when he found himself behind the next day, he has called for every vote to be counted.

Elections experts say the President has no legal right to stop vote counting. Responsibility for vote counting lies exclusively with the states.

They also say in order for the Supreme Court to determine the presidential race, a case would have to come to the court from a state in which the outcome would determine the election\u2019s winner.

On alleged fraud<\/strong>
Most of Trump\u2019s complaints have centered around alleged mail-in fraud, deadlines or a lack of transparency at counting centers. Independent observers say postal ballot fraud is extremely rare and in those few cases discovered no case would have changed an election outcome.

The US has been allowing voting by mail since the 19th century.

On two of the transparency suits filed in Michigan and Pennsylvania, election officials said independent checkers and party representatives on both sides were allowed to watch over the ballot counting, contrary to what Trump alleges.

Republicans have also been cautious over Trump\u2019s voting fraud allegations.

Former Republican US Sen. Rick Santorum said, \u201cCounting mail-in and absentee ballots is not fraud. No Republican leaders should support the lies about \u2018voter fraud\u2019 that Donald Trump is spewing right now.\u201d

On Trump\u2019s premature victory claim, Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell disagreed. \u201cIt\u2019s not unusual for people to claim they\u2019ve won the election. I can think of that happening on numerous occasions. But claiming you win the election is different from finishing the counting.\u201d

Hawaii votes and Filipinos on Presidential race<\/strong>
Hawaii continues its tradition of voting Democrat in the presidential race. The Office of Elections had the Biden-Harris tandem ahead of Trump-Pence 365,802 (63.2 percent) to 196,602 (33.9%). Support for Trump rose slightly from his last election when he received 128,847 votes. Hawaii had a record-breaking 579,000 voter turnout or 66.1 percent of registered voters.

Marilyn Corpuz, Pearl City, a retired government clerk, said she voted for Biden because she is afraid that a second Trump term would be a disaster. \u201cTrump has done damage in our country. The division we have now is nothing like I\u2019ve seen in my lifetime. He\u2019s also constantly lying and exaggerating. He lied at the debates. He lied about that tax return we never got to see. Now he\u2019s lying about mail-voter fraud. He says he\u2019s been cheated of winning the election without offering any evidence. But he will probably lie about that too and make up stuff.\u201d

Corpuz said she likes Biden as a person. \u201cHe\u2019s a likeable, honest man, the opposite of Trump. I think he is the right person to have challenged Trump. I\u2019m not too sure someone could have beat Trump. Biden appeals to many people from different backgrounds. I think he got some of Trump\u2019s working class white male base to cross over this election. The race was so close and this probably helped him win.\u201d

Cesar Fronda of Waipahu said he voted for Biden because he is pro-worker. \u201cBiden supports unions and benefits for members. He supports Social Security and Medicare.\u201d

Fronda, who claims to be a political independent, said he also likes Biden because he is a uniter and will be a president for both Republicans and Democrats.

Nicole Kawahara, Honolulu, a client services specialist, voted for Biden. The issue she\u2019s been tracking lately is police brutality and believes Biden will be better at fixing the problems on this issue. Kawahara says she leans toward the Democratic Party, but adds it\u2019s not always just about a political party for her.

Eva Garcia, who grew up in Moanalua but now lives in Laguna Hills, California, said Biden was her choice because Trump is dangerous and an autocrat. Normally Garcia votes Republican but said she couldn\u2019t risk the country in the hands of Trump.

\u201cTypical as the autocrat he is, he\u2019s trying to contest the election like all dictators do. He\u2019s been caught with lie after lie. Why should people believe his election fraud allegations. It\u2019s already proven that mail-in voting is secure. There is no historical evidence for his claims.

\u201cI\u2019m scared that he will make something up and one of his legal challenges will reach the Supreme Court where he might get a favorable ruling. In the end though, the people will not allow this election to be stolen. Just look at how many people came out to vote and under circumstances where they could be infected by the coronavirus,\u201d said Garcia.

US Senate<\/strong>
Republicans are poised to keep their majority in the Senate. But the majority will come down to two races for US Senate in the state of Georgia that will take place in January. Democrats flipped a seat in red Arizona; but lost one in red Alabama. Democrats failed in two high stakes races to defeat Sen. McConnell in Kentucky and Sen. Lindsey Graham in South Carolina. Maine Sen. Susan Collins, thought to be the most vulnerable among Republican incumbent senators, managed to pull out a victory.

If both Democrats win in Georgia\u2019s special elections, the Senate would be 50-50, and Kamala Harris would break any tie.

US House<\/strong>
Hawaii\u2019s Congressman Ed Case won reelection and will be joined by newcomer fellow Democrat Kaiali\u2019I Kahele who replaces Tulsi Gabbard.

Democrats will retain majority control of the House and is likely to add to their current majority of 232-197- 1. But Republicans flipped a few key seats including two in Florida held by Debbie Mucarsel-Powell and Donna Shalala.

Blangiardi wins Honolulu Mayoral Race<\/strong>
First-time political candidate Rick Blangiardi beat out another newbie to politics Keith Amemiya 58.2 to 38.8 percent in what was one of the most slanted races for Honolulu mayor. Blangiardi won in almost each island\u2019s precincts and appealed to Hawaii\u2019s broad demographics.

Blangiardi is the son of immigrants and grew up in a working-class community in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He moved to Hawaii in the 1960s and played football for the University of Hawaii. He retired in January 2020 from a long and illustrious career in television on the mainland and in Hawaii. He was former general manager of Hawaii News Now.

He\u2019s had extensive executive experience leading huge companies which was attractive to Hawaii voters who see his background and leadership well suited to steer Honolulu toward economic recovery deflated by the pandemic.

To back up his stellar resume, Blangiardi exudes confidence and charisma. Some have said he reminds them of Honolulu\u2019s legendary Mayor Frank Fasi who served 22 years in office.

\u201cI voted for Blangiardi because I feel I can trust him during this critical time. He\u2019s very calm and communicates well. He has this quality about his personality that makes you feel he really cares. His life is a classic American success story, immigrant son to working class parents makes it big time,\u201d said Corpuz.

She said she likes Amemiya also. \u201cBut when you compare both candidates\u2019 selling points, as businessmen and candidates for change, Blangiardi comes out on top. We\u2019re actually fortunate to have someone with a business background as Blangiardi run to serve in public office. People that age and having achieved that much success usually retire.

\u201cOn change, even though Amemiya is a first-time political candidate, his connections to who\u2019s who in government runs deep. That said, it\u2019s hard to step on toes when you\u2019re in the same social circles. Amemiya had so many union endorsements I feel making change for him would be harder,\u201d said Corpuz.

Where Corpuz gave Amemiya top credit is his plans for the city. She said it was very specific with concrete examples.

Blangiardi has led in local polls prior to the General.

This 2020 mayor-elect must hit the ground running. Ahead of him are problems beyond normal typical city management issues that other incoming mayors have had to face. The pandemic crisis adds safety concerns and a budgetary shortfall.

The pandemic could also exacerbate Honolulu\u2019s already urgent homelessness crisis. The rail needs a successful, on-budget completion.

Fil-Am General Eelection Winners in the State Senate and Honolulu City Council<\/strong>
Fil-Am candidates lived up to expectations by winning in a landslide in several races from State Senate to House seats.

Sen. Donavan Dela Cruz trounced his opponent John Miller 70.29 to 29.70 percent in Senatorial District 22. Dela Cruz, who last session led the most powerful committee in the Senate, the Ways and Means (WAM), is likely to repeat that leadership role. Prior to becoming a senator Dela Cruz served in the Honolulu City Council for eight years and was the youngest chair of the Council at 30. Already having top leadership roles in arguably the two most influential government bodies at Hawaii\u2019s state and county level, he joins a select few among Fil-Am politicians primed to advance to higher office. Only a few FilAm veteran politicians have had similar career success to Dela Cruz. Most notable among them Donna Mercado Kim and Ron Menor, both of whom already sought higher offices. Dela Cruz continues to build on his resume of public service and has youth on his side to make a future run at Congress.

Sen. Gil Keith-Agaran (64.31 percent) of Maui also handily defeated his opponents Christy Kajiwara-Gusman (30.93 percent) and Rynette Keen (4.76 percent). Before serving in the state House and Senate, he\u2019s held an impressive streak of top administrative roles including as Director of Public Works and Environmental Management. Keith-Agaran is an attorney, received his J.D from UC-Berkeley and B.A. from Yale College.

The State Senate will have two freshman Fil-Ams in 2021 — Joy San Buenaventura, Senate Dist. 2 (Big Island, Puna, Ka\u02bb\u016b) and Bennette Misalucha, Senate Dist. 16 (Pearl Harbor, Pearl City and Aiea).

Buenaventura begins her first year in the Senate but has been at the Legislature for six years in the House where she\u2019s held leadership roles. Last session she served as chair of the HHS\/Homelessness committee, vice chair of the Judiciary committee, and House majority whip. She had a strong campaign in her first run in a larger district, garnering 75.19 percent of votes compared to her opponent Aloha Aina Party\u2019s Ron Kaipo (24.81 percent).

Misalucha is technically an incumbent but is still green to the Senate having been appointed by Gov. David Ige to fill the seat of the late Sen. Breene Harimoto this year in July. Because she took over Sen. Harimoto\u2019s seat, her win in this general is for two years. The term for Hawaii state senators lasts for four years. Misalucha is a wellknown community leader. Her professional background includes executive positions in banking, marketing, public policy, and community outreach. Since 2008, she ran her own business strategy and communications company. Her race was relatively close against opponent Kelly Kitashima, 52.69 percent to 47.31 percent.

Honolulu City Council will also have two additional Fil-Ams: Augusto Tulba (Augie T) who pulled off a surprise victory over former state Sen. Will Espero (52.90 to 47.10 percent); and Radiant Cordero who had 48.6 percent of the vote against challenger Jacob Aki.

Tulba, a legendary Hawaii entertainer, will occupy the seat of term-limited FilAm Ron Menor in the district representing Waikele, Mililani, Royal Kunia and portions of Ewa Beach. Cordero will hold the seat of the term-limited Fil-Am Joey Manahan, her former boss. Cordero was Manahan\u2019s chief of staff.

Tulba and Cordero will join sitting city council members that include Fil-Am Brandon Elefante. The Filipino community for generations has been well-represented at the Honolulu City Council regularly with at least two and up to four Fil-Am members (of the total nine that comprise the Council) each year. Many of them led the Council as chair during their tenure (to name a few: Ron Menor, Ernest \u201cErnie\u201d Martin, Nestor Garcia, Donovan Dela Cruz, Rudy Pacarro).

What the 2020 Presidential Election was about<\/strong>
To Biden supporters, his victory signals a dramatic shift, an end to close to four years of intense suffering unjustly and inhumanly just for being an immigrant or person of color. After close to a year of chaos, confusion, economic down-spiraling and literally death over the coronavirus pandemic \u2013 Biden\u2019s win is a symbolic signpost pointing to the road that should have initially been taken to beat COVID-19.

For the other half of a divided nation who supported Trump in the general, their leader will not get a second-term \u2013 a political oddity that hasn\u2019t happened since President George Bush, Sr.

While 45 will not remain in the White House, Trumpism is a political force to stay, political analysts suspect. The strong showing in the general suggests that. Unless president-elect Biden can make good on his message of uniting the nation and find a way for the diverse coalition who supported him to co-exist with Trumpers under the same tent.

The 2020 election shows that honesty still matters. While \u201ccharacter\u201d normally takes a backseat to the economy and hot issues in choosing a candidate, this election was different. Character matters. Being a decent person matters.

Political analysts counted Biden out initially in the Primary that had one of the strongest field of Democratic contenders ever. But Biden is likely the only candidate who could have defeated Trump, as Trump\u2019s complete polar opposite. Republicans couldn\u2019t attach labels to Biden that perhaps could have stuck onto other Democrats. Independents, who really are shifting moderates in time, felt comfortable voting for Biden whose politics is really 1980s Republicanism.

Take away the hate and xenophobia, Trumpism at its root is really a rejection to a world moving too fast. Biden\u2019s middle-of-the-road politics might just be the antidote Trumpers were looking for, not the \u201cwolf populist\u201d in sheep\u2019s clothing who misguided them.

For millions of Americans, at least the end to one of the country\u2019s worst years in history, closed with a promising upside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

EDITOR\u2019S NOTE:<\/strong> For other Fil-Ams who won in the General Election, see HFC Editorial Assistant Jim Bea Sampaga\u2019s article<\/a> in this issue.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n


<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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