Formation 2011 Affiliations Democratic | Membership 16 | |
PAC Chair Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06) Website www.capacleadership.org | ||
The ASPIRE PAC (short for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Rising and Empowering Political Action Committee), formerly known as the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Leadership PAC (CAPAC Leadership PAC), is a United States political action committee established in 2011 by Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27). The PAC focuses its efforts on supporting candidates of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) descent and those that support and promote the issues of the AAPI community. The CAPAC Leadership PAC offers a voice for the AAPI community and encourages active participation in the U.S. political process.
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Through its support, the PAC welcomed six newly elected AAPI Members of Congress in the 2012 Elections: Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (HI), Rep. Ami Bera (CA-07), Rep. Tammy Duckworth (IL-08), Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02), Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06) and Rep. Mark Takano (CA-41). In the 2014 Elections, the PAC supported and welcomed new members Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-33) and Rep. Mark Takai (HI-01). Today, there are 14 AAPI Members of Congress.
In April 2016, Congresswoman Grace Meng was elected as PAC Chair, succeeding PAC founder Congresswoman Judy Chu. Chu became Immediate Past PAC Chair and continued her duties as Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, the official Congressional caucus.