[US Midterm Elections] First Korean-American Senior House Member in 26 Years Elected (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo Yoo-jin] In the U.S. midterm elections, the re-election of four incumbent Korean-American members of the House of Representatives out of 435 federal representatives has been virtually confirmed. For the first time in 26 years, a Korean-American has succeeded in winning a third term, creating a senior member of Congress.

Andy Kim, a second-generation Korean-American U.S. Representative, has reached the milestone of a third term, according to reports by AP News and The New York Times (NYT).

Kim, who ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in New Jersey's 3rd congressional district, secured his victory on the 9th (local time) with 95% of the votes counted by 12:30 PM, leading with 54.9% of the vote, ahead of Republican candidate Bob Hilly's 44.2% by a margin of 10 percentage points.

With this, Kim became the first Korean-American to win a third term in the federal House of Representatives in 26 years since former Representative Chang-jun Kim in 1996. Kim is a Middle East expert who served as a National Security Council (NSC) advisor on Iraq and ISIS and as a strategic staff member for the NATO commander during the Barack Obama administration.

After his victory was confirmed, Kim expressed his aspirations at a celebration party with supporters, saying, "Many people are tired of the fact that our politics are collapsing," and "I want to show them that there is another way."

Andy Kim. (Photo by NYT)

Following Kim, Democratic U.S. Representative Marilyn Strickland also comfortably won re-election. Korean-American Representative Strickland secured her victory as the Democratic candidate in Washington State's 10th congressional district, defeating Republican candidate Keith Swank.

In her victory speech, Representative Strickland stated, "My goal as a politician is to amplify the voice of Korean Americans in American society," and "I will work to help more Americans understand Korean culture and history."

Among the four incumbent Korean-American representatives, Republican members Young Kim and Michelle Steel are also on the verge of winning re-election.

Young Kim is expected to win in California's 40th district, defeating Democratic candidate Asif Mahmood, according to the NYT. According to the NYT, as of 6:45 PM, with 50% of the votes counted, Kim leads significantly with 59.1% of the vote compared to Democratic candidate Asif Mahmood's 40.9%.

Kim was born in Incheon and immigrated to the United States with her parents after completing elementary school, representing the 1.5 generation of immigrants. She entered politics 20 years ago as a staffer for former Representative Ed Royce and has been active on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Michelle Steel, who ran in California's 45th district, has extended her lead with 55.3% of the vote counted at 50%, widening the gap against Democratic candidate Jay Chen, who has 44.7% of the vote.

The NYT reported that "the race is tilting in favor of Representative Steel." Steel ran as a Republican in California, a Democratic stronghold, and has won five consecutive elections from 2006 through the 2020 federal House elections.

For the first time in the 120-year history of Korean immigration, a Korean-American lieutenant governor has also been elected. Sylvia Chang Luke, the Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii, won a landslide victory with 206,479 votes (67.22%), defeating Republican candidate Seaulatuapai by a margin of 100,707 votes.

With this victory, Luke has earned the title of the highest-ranking elected Korean-American politician across the governments of all 50 states.