NORCROSS, GA – After Georgia’s Candidate Qualifying period came to a close earlier this month, Asian American Advancing Justice- Atlanta (Advancing Justice - Atlanta) is proud to announce
five participants from its
2015 Southern Regional Nonpartisan Campaign Training are running for different offices up for election in 2015 and 2016. The five candidates who have qualified to run are:
Diane Adoma, Georgia State Senate District 43 (Lithonia, Rockdale County); Nazeera Dawood, Johns Creek City Council; Birendra Dhakal, Clarkston City Council; Brenda Lopez, Georgia State House District 99 (Norcross, Gwinnett County); and Kenneth Williamson, Sheriff of Chatham County (Savannah).
These Five candidates participated earlier this year in Advancing Justice-Atlanta’s Second
"How to Win an Election" nonpartisan campaign training that brought together 17 current, former, and potential minority candidates to learn the nuts and bolts of running a successful election campaign.
“This was the best training from several that I have taken. It was very local based and provided very detailed material,” said Brenda Lopez. Birendra Dhakal said “The training provided me with the opportunity to gain skills in running a successful campaign. I was able to meet great trainers as well as other potential candidates and was able to share experiences, which in fact, emboldened me to run again.” Birendra Dhakal ran in 2013 for Clarkston City Council and lost the election by approximately 17 votes.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice Atlanta organized its first nonpartisan campaign training in 2014 which trained a total of 8 potential minority candidates. One of its participants in 2014,
Meng Lim, later won his contested race making him the first ever Asian American Superior Court Judge elected in Georgia.
“We are proud of all those who participated in our Candidate Trainings and wish all the best to the candidates. Our hope is that more Asian Americans and other minorities will step up and run for office at all levels. Leadership development is one of our core mission points and one way we strive to build power for the common good,” said Helen Ho, Executive Director of Advancing Justice-Atlanta.
Municipal Elections in 2015 is to be held on November 3
rd. Advancing Justice-Atlanta urges all to go out to vote!
