Community Leaders and Elected Officials in the Chinese community today united to show support for Mahesh Bhagia campaign for Edison Mayor and Tom McCann, Shannon Peng, and Sparshil Patel for Council.

Shannon Peng, current Edison Board of Education member, vying to be the first ever Chinese-American woman to serve on the Edison Council. According to the 2010 census over 43% of Edison residents are Asian Americans.

“Edison, the 5th largest town in New Jersey, is home to residents from a multitude of backgrounds. It is an example of New Jersey’s diversity at its best,” the group stated in a joint statement. “It is therefore particularly important that the next Mayor and Council members for the township are competent, compassionate, and qualified to represent all of the township’s 100,000 residents.”

“I am truly honored to receive the support of so many well respected community leaders,” Edison Democratic Organization endorsed candidate, Mahesh Bhagia stated. “As Mayor, my administration will ensure that everyone’s voice is heard and that everyone has a seat at the table. Only together will we move Edison forward.”

“Our community is especially excited that Shannon Peng, a community leader, has the opportunity to serve as the first Chinese American on the Edison Council. Ms. Peng has demonstrated in the past five years her commitment to Edison residents while serving on the Edison Board of Education,” stated the group of endorsers.

“After the events that have taken place over the last year we need to ensure we are doing everything in our power to stop hate and unite as one community,” stated Shannon Peng. “We have seen the uptick in hate in our own town, including the firing of our first Chinese American Library Director and the hiring of a Special Assistant to the current Mayor that has made racist and offensive comments. We need change, we need representation in Town Hall for all!”

Community Leaders and Elected Officials from the Chinese American Community that fully endorse Mahesh Bhagia for Mayor and Tom McCann, Shannon Peng, and Sparshil Patel for Council:

Margaret Lam, Chair of New Jersey Chinese Culture Academy
Tom Wang, Principal of Huaxia Edison Chinese School
Qiang Wu, former Principal of Huaxia Edison Chinese School
Simon Lin, former Principal Huaxia Edison Chinese School
Peng Chen, Vice-Chair of the Edison Democratic Organization
Randi Shu, President of Harrison Chinese Association
Xiaole Shen, former Livingston Board of Education Member
Liwu Hong, Co-Chair United Chinese American Association of NJ
Cecilia Xie Birge, former Mayor of Montgomery Township
Philip Liang, former Councilman Englewood Cliffs
Yingchao Zhang, PhD, former West Windsor Town Council
Joanne Liu Rudel, former Marlboro Board of Education Member
Elen Xu, former Marlboro Board of Education Member
Jesse Liu, former Millburn Board of Education Member
Taylor Zhong, former West Windsor-Plainsboro Board of Education Member