8 Fil-Ams among candidates in US elections

Eight Filipino-Americans are among the candidates running for various political positions across the United States in the November 2024 presidential elections, with several poised to make history.

Incumbent New York State Assemblymember Steven Raga is seeking re-election to represent District 30 in Queens, New York.

Jessica Calazo, former Chief of Staff to California's first Attorney General, Rob Bonta, is campaigning for a seat in the California Assembly.

Ysabel Jurado is a candidate for the City Council in Los Angeles County.

Christopher Cabaldon is running for a Senate seat in the California State Senate.

Angelito Tenorio is vying for a position in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

Fil-Am Todd Gloria is campaigning for mayor of San Diego, California.

Juslyn Manalo is seeking a second term as mayor of Daly City.

Meanwhile, early voting for the elections has officially concluded, revealing lower turnout rates compared to the 2020 election, when Joe Biden defeated incumbent President Donald Trump.

According to Vote.org, over 72 million voters participated in early voting this year.

In New York City, participation surpassed 2 million, marking a 70% decrease from the 8.6 million who voted early in 2020.

Early voting ended at 5 p.m., with Election Day set to begin on November 5.

Fil-Am nurse RR shared her reasons for supporting Kamala Harris with GMA Integrated News: "I chose Kamala Harris because women should be in charge of their own bodies. I’m not really pro-abortion, but women who need it for whatever reason should have that option. Politics should not interfere with women’s reproductive health."

Meanwhile, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has returned to Pennsylvania, one of the key battleground states, to rally support. Concurrently, Vice President and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris is campaigning among students at the University of Michigan.

The competition between Trump and Harris is expected to be close, with barely a day remaining before Election Day. The exchanges of accusations between the candidates are intensifying, with key issues at stake including immigration, turmoil in the Middle East, and the economy.—LDF, GMA Integrated News