Asian leaders back Spadoro in primary
Challenger Jun Choi not concerned about recent endorsement
BY ELAINE VAN DEVELDE
Staff Writer

Mayor George A. Spadoro sees an endorsement he got recently from several Asian leaders as a major campaign plus.

However, Jun Choi, his opponent in the June mayoral primary, says it is a small token that won’t translate into many votes.

“These people were several highly respected leaders in the Chinese community, activists many people look up to and align themselves with,” Spadoro said. “It’s nice to receive that sort of endorsement. In all, there were about 15 leaders who publicly endorsed me [last week at the Clarion Hotel]. I hope it will result in more support. It’s definitely a very positive sign.”

Asian leaders who endorsed Spadoro included Lily Griggs, of the Chinese-American Chamber of Commerce; Jason Cheng, who owns the Clarion Hotel on Route 27; and Board of Education member Bob Wong.

Cheng is a board member and secretary of the Chinese-American Chamber of Commerce, a statewide organization based in Edison. He hosted the meeting of the Asian leaders who endorsed Spadoro at his hotel last week.

Cheng said he endorsed Spadoro based on his record and experience not only with the Asian community, but with the community as a whole.

“I think he’s more experienced and he’s just more familiar with the community,” he said. “He’s done a lot for the community, not only the Chinese community, but Edison as a whole. He has been very fair to every ethnic and cultural group.”

But Choi, a Korean-American, said the endorsement is a weak one and only proves that Spadoro may get the votes of 15 people.

“After knocking on doors and having campaign canvassers track statistics, we have found that as far as the Asian community goes, I am leading in support 7-1 ahead of Spadoro,” Choi said. “This is a more direct approach and, I think, a more accurate way of assessing the feelings of that community.”

As a fellow Asian-American community leader, Cheng said that while he thought Choi was a nice person, “if I voted for him just because he’s Asian, it would not be fair.

“I would not be doing the right thing,” he said. “It would really be a sort of discrimination because I would then be voting for someone who I think has less experience and capability just because we are both Asian. I vote on qualifications and endorse based on that.”

The Chamber’s endorsement, Choi said, doesn’t translate into significant voting numbers that would pose a threat at the polls.

“Many of these people don’t live in Edison,” Choi said. “It’s a statewide organization of business leaders, which doesn’t necessarily mean a lot of votes will be associated with the endorsement.”

Spadoro, however, felt the endorsement of the Asian-American leaders proved his stronghold and gave him power at the polls as an active leader in protecting the rights of all segments of the community.

“The endorsement of these people shows that they know very well how meaningful I feel their religious beliefs, various cultures and traditions are,” he said. “I have always worked to celebrate those values and will continue to.”