Naked City

In a sign of the growing political clout enjoyed by Asian-Americans in Austin, an Asian-American Alliance fundraiser for Mayor Kirk Watson, held last week at Buffet Palace in north Austin, raised about $10,000 for the mayor's re-election bid.

Once a virtually invisible contingent of Austin's political population, the Asian-American community is growing rapidly, both in numbers and in their influence on city decisions. Political consultant David Butts, a member of the organizing committee for the Wednesday evening fundraiser, called the growth "a maturing process in which Asian people are getting involved in the city."

Increasingly, that means supporting major political players like Watson, who, his supporters say, has shown an impressive commitment to uniting Austin's diverse political factions and cultural communities.

Robert Huang, ex-president of the Austin-Taichung and Texas-Yunnan Associations, noted two reasons for his faith in Watson. Unlike the tumultuous 1980s, when the City Council was deeply divided about how to deal with Austin's rapid growth, the Watson years have been characterized by relative peace, and a more sensible approach to expansion. Since Watson became mayor, Huang said, "he's been able to keep things together within the council and keep Austin's growth under control."

Amy Wong Mok, president of the AAA and coordinator of the fundraiser's organizing committee, gave more personal reasons for supporting Watson. "He has shown a distinct interest in understanding our community by traveling to China, Japan, and Korea on private funds last year," Mok said. Mok said that the trips provide evidence for Watson's support of diversity in city staff.

Assuming Watson is re-elected (and nobody is assuming otherwise), Mok explained, the Alliance is asking the mayor to commit to filling a certain percentage of jobs at different levels of city staff with Asian-American employees within the next three to five years. Mok believes that the mayor will be "receptive to this inclusion" of the Asian-American community in city government positions.

Watson may have different plans for the council's future, but he does share Mok's interest in working with Austin's diverse population. "One way [Austin] is going to be successful in the future is by embracing diversity in the community," Watson said.