We just got great news – Fil-Am Kris Valderrama is running a strong third in today’s tally of Tuesday’s Democratic primaries in the 26th District of Maryland with more than 89 percent of the voting precints accounted for.
Despite being dropped from the Democratic incumbent ticket, Valderrama captured over 19% of the vote compared to fourth-placer Ollie Anderson’s 14.8 %.
Based on this partial, unofficial tally, Valderrama fared better than her last campaign four years ago.
Valderrama is the only Filipino-American and one of only four Asian-Americans in the 188-member Maryland General Assembly (the state’s legislative arm).
If her 1,000-vote lead holds, as most now see, she will retain one of three seats for the 26th District in the Maryland House of Delegates.
The 26th District, which is part of Prince George’s County and encompasses the large Fil-Am communities in Fort Washington and Oxon Hill, is predominantly Democratic so last Tuesday’s nomination race is widely seen as the real contest for the November midterm elections.
Kris’ father, David Valderrama, had held the same seat from 1991 till 2003. His daughter recaptured the post in 2007.
Valderrama’s fellow incumbents Veronica Turner garnered 25% of the votes and Jay Walker, nearly 23% of the votes – which appears to send the message that Democratic voters in the 26th District are satisfied with their representation in Annapolis.
On the eve of the primaries, she allowed us an interview at her home in Fort Washington where she stressed the importance of Fil-Ams getting out to vote and having a voice in the Maryland legislature (see preceding article).
Aside from the large Fil-Am population, Prince George’s county is also one of the fastest growing and economically dynamic regions in Metro DC, and is one of the top employers of Filipino teachers and professionals here.
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