New York State Assemblyman Zheng Yongjia hosts a fundraising dinner, Republican leaders gather to show their support.

On the evening of January 12th, New York State Assemblyman Lester Chang hosted a fundraising dinner at the iconic Trump Tower in New York City. The event was attended by numerous Republican and community leaders, including Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, founder of the Guardian Angels Curtis Sliwa, and Brooklyn Republican Party Chairman Richard Barsamian, among others, all showing their support for Chang’s political aspirations and community development vision.

During his speech at the fundraising dinner, Lester Chang first expressed his gratitude to his wife Lily, mentioning that it was her birthday that day. He acknowledged his wife’s support as a vital force that has brought him to where he is today. Chang also specially thanked Brooklyn Republican Party Chairman Barsamian and his team, highlighting their key contributions to organizing and developing the Brooklyn area.

Chang shared his family background, mentioning that he is a descendant of Chinese immigrants, with his father having immigrated to the United States in 1924 and faced the challenges of the Chinese Exclusion Act. He emphasized that this historical narrative should not be forgotten and urged the younger generation to remember the hardships their ancestors endured, advocating for the appreciation and continuous pursuit of equality and opportunities.

Reflecting on his political journey, Chang emphasized that he is the first Chinese-American Republican State Assemblyman in New York State, acknowledging the challenges of entering politics in a predominantly Democratic state. He shared his experience of breaking through the “glass ceiling” and mentioned that his early political career was not well-known, building trust gradually by visiting thousands of constituents. He stated that he won the support of voters through perseverance and integrity, pledging to continue serving the community.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, speaking to New Tang Dynasty Television, stated, “Lester Chang is one of the most important Asian-American Republicans in the United States. He won the election in 2022 and continues to bring positive changes to his constituents, which is why I support him.”

Founder of the Guardian Angels Curtis Sliwa, in an interview with New Tang Dynasty Television, mentioned that Chang has long been at the forefront of fighting hate crimes, particularly in Chinatown and Brooklyn, assisting in protecting the Asian-American community. He emphasized working alongside Chang to ensure their communities are safe and praised him as the first elected Chinese-American Republican State Assemblyman in New York.

At the dinner, Lester Chang elaborated on his positions regarding various key issues, including public safety, education reform, and tax policies. He called for amendments to the cashless bail system and stressed that education should be based on merit, not race or quotas. He strongly opposed excessive taxation and congestion fees, advocating for the abolishment of New York City’s “sanctuary city” policy, pointing out the negative impact these policies have on small businesses in Manhattan and promoting a return to common-sense governance.

In conclusion, Lester Chang expressed his gratitude to all his supporters and pledged to continue speaking up for the community. He expressed confidence in the future and hoped to create a better living environment for the residents of Brooklyn and the entire state through unity and hard work.