Five of the major candidates for governor participated in what organizers called the first-ever Asian-Pacific Islander gubernatorial debate on Friday night.
State Treasurer John Chiang, whose parents immigrated from Taiwan, pitched himself as the strongest advocate for the Asian community.
"We have a profound opportunity to send a powerful signal to those in Sacramento that the Asian Americans count," Chiang said.
Chiang has been trailing in recent polls. Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom has a wide lead over competitors, according to the latest surveys. Newsom was invited to the debate but declined to attend. The organizers left an empty lectern on stage to underscore his absence.
His closest Democratic rival, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, chided Newsom for failing to show up and praised the other candidates who did.