Darn...all those efforts!!! I know the Hmong candidates worked hard.

http://www.co.ramsey.mn.us/elections/results2010.htm

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Harrington wins East Side primary
Former police chief becomes the odds-on favorite to win Nov. 2
By Dave Orrick
dorrick@pioneerpress.com
Updated: 08/11/2010 01:43:45 AM CDT

Former St. Paul Police Chief John Harrington solidly won a nine-way Democratic primary Tuesday evening in a race to succeed retiring state Sen. Mee Moua representing St. Paul's East Side.

...

Some speculated early on that the existence of four Hmong candidates would diffuse support from within that community. Several discussions were held among candidates and some Hmong community leaders around the notion of some candidates dropping out and throwing their support behind another.

No such deal was ever brokered, and if fundraising, yard signs and Election Day energy are any indicator, all four candidates added to the race's overall energy.

...

Harrington could constitute half of a first-ever class of African-American lawmakers from St. Paul. Rena Moran (also African-American) won a DFL primary to succeed state Rep. Cy Thao in House District 65A.

The winner of the general election will serve a two-year term, shorter than the usual four years because all legislative districts will be redrawn following the 2010 census.

Hmoob ces yeej zoo li no mas.  Mab sua nqua ib los ces sawv daws sib tog.

I don't blame the candidates. They did what they had to do under the circumstances.

I blame them though.  The younger generation claim we're more educated but still lacking unity.

Well since all this is over, a while back I posted that I had a conversation with a candidate that was running for the senate seat.  I don't know what the 4 candidates and their politics are, but from what I've concluded was quite interesting.  The candidate I had a conversation with was Mr. Her, I'm not here to bash but to share my thoughts.    The questions presented to Mr. Her was quite simple, basic and part of this job he is seeking. 

What is your 5 year goal?

What is your 10 year goal?

What do you plan to do to help the Hmong community as whole?

Well none of those questions were answered in any way, shape or form in the 45minutes of talking to him.  He totally blew off all of these questions and starting writing down questions.  (i was like WTF u doing)  If you are running for the state senate seat, a high profile seat and if you can't even give any insight of these basic questions WTF are you running for??   These are the fundamentals of running for any political seat.  

He asked me if I knew who he was, I said no.  Mr. Her proceeds with If you don't know who I am or what I've done, GOOGLE me.  If I was an elder talking to him it would be quite frustrating.  How does one tell your votes to google him?  Majority of the hmong families on the east side are elders 50+ in age and these can be easily won with a little bit of work, communication and simple unity.    

I'm not here to bash, as I don't know what the other 3 hmong candidates bring to the table.  But from this one person that I've met talked to, if anyone ever plans on running for a high profile political seat be prepared to be drilled by all shapes and form of people.    

All of this is a joke!  If the hmong community united we would have taken this primary election by a landslide.  All of this makes us look bad, real bad.  

I really think the multiple candidates diluted the vote.     We need to learn things the hard way. 

Think?  Its a fact now....  

Very disheartening though.   

One Hmong candidate would have received 3,000 votes.

Hm..interestin g that of the 73,000 residents on the east only about 8,000 voters showed up to vote.

Blabla, you are from WI, so you don't know Mr. Heu. But he's very well-known all over MN for the past decade and a half. I'm surprised he did not come out on top.

Anyway, I agree that elders may not have access to the internet...


Long-term goals? That's hard for anyone to say...

True. It's a fact now.

I think the Hmong candidates are young and probably were just hyper about campaigning hard. They forgot about winning in unity!

If you want to win you will have to work hard.  I feel most of the candidates worked hard but not hard enough.  It is harder because there were 4 candidate but nonetheless push harder.  People are willing to listen, if you can present it in a way that can get their attention you will have the votes no matter what.  That is what Politics is all about, presentation!  
I've heard he a well known guy, but the fact is well known or not you need to be presentable, approachable and persuasive.  As for the long term goals, Its a goal.  Goal meaning its a want-its in the works.  He never stated what he planned to do if he got the position.  If you have a plan people will listen to what you have to say.  If you don't have a plan who's going to listen???  Its something to think about.  Its quite interesting hearing their politics.  I also mention to him, to keep in mind he is not the only Hmong person running.  Mr. Heu will have to differentiate himself from the rest to be on top, I'm not sure how he  differentiated himself.      

What ever happened is history, let this be a lesson learned for all, as it looks really really bad on our part.  Its exactly what they say, when something good comes along every hmong person wants it for their name-prime example.     Back in 2000 I helped out with Senator Mee Moua campaign it was much simpler.  First Hmong person running everyone got excited, basically an automatic win and she also had a great team helping her campaign.  Senator Mee Moua also has the background for the seat,  the experience she lacked but she made up with her educational background and career.   The campaign team also did a great job of getting out there and reaching for the community for support.  Who ever runs next, look back at what was good and build off of it.  

 

I'm thinking it's because the four was not able to conclude to one, therefore voting for the one you want is like a waste of time when you know your next door neighbor is voting for the other ones. 

Google me?

Wow. That comment alone would have blew me off totally! I do know Mr. Heu though but if I didn't know him and he had answered me with something like that - I would have just walked away. Seriously, Mr. Heu? 

tev txiv tsawb yooj yim duas lawm o.

Mr blabla has done well in saying that hmong candidate (s) should work harder. 

I would say we need more funds for this campaign.  We need to send a very clear message to everyone that can go to the pole in east side which are included trusted, motivation, fact, and others.  If you are able to make these people calling sick and go to vote, you win. 

Otherwise,  if you want to win, you will have to come back in the next two years.  When hmong need a senator and when hmong are crying and looking for god again, then it is the time.   I knew a lot of hmong people did not go vote.