“To put into practice what I’ve learned as a public servant and give back to the community the benefits I’ve received. Give a chance to a candidate who can change things for the better.”
These are the words of Edward Han, 38, who is running for the 44th District Assembly (Burbank) next year.
His father is Woo-sung Han, a former Korean American journalist, and former chairman of the Overseas Korean Foundation. Han, who arrived in the United States with his parents at the age of 2, grew up in La Crescenta and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and New York University School of Law.
After a brief stint as an elementary school teacher, Han practiced law and clerked for judges before settling in Los Angeles. Since 2018, he has served as an officer in the air force and currently teaches at UCLA School of Law. His wife, Ellen, is currently a high school assistant principal.
Having grown up in the 1990s in La Crescenta, he says, “Classrooms were not ‘flat’ then. Even now, classrooms are not flat as the Supreme Court decided to strike down affirmative action.” “I will do my best to make life better for the people of my state and my district,” he said.
“I’m still young, but I’ve been a teacher, federal prosecutor (2015-2022), lecturer, and military officer for a long time,” he said, “and I will be a hardworking servant of my constituents.”
Han’s challenge will be an uphill battle. The 44th District is centered around Burbank and La Crescenta, with more than 240,000 registered voters, of which over 25,000 are Asian and 7,100 are Korean American. The electorate is 45% White and 42% Latino.
Incumbent Laura Friedman is running for the 30th Congressional District seat of Adam Schiff, who has announced a run for the U.S. Senate. On the Democratic side, there are seven candidates, including an incumbent Glendale City Council member and Burbank Vice Mayor.
Han urged voters to participate in voting and support him. “I urge all voters to register and vote before the February qualifier next year, and even $5 or $10 during the election will go a long way. A little help from all of you can change more things than you think.”
Support website: edhanca.com
By BRIAN CHOI [choi.inseong@koreadaily.com]
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