Walnut City Council Candidate Betty Tang Kicks Off Campaign with Local Support

Betty Tang said although she faces candidates with ties to Sacramento and Washington D.C., she does not feel daunted in her bid for Walnut City Council because of her connection to the local community.

Flanked by family, members of community organizations, and local political leaders, the businesswoman and president of Walnut High School's Chinese American Parents Association kicked off her campaign Wednesday at Applebees.

Tang is vying for one of two seats in the April 8 election, running against Council Members Mary Su and Bob Pacheco.

She said the council needs someone with new ideas and called for term limits for those who serve, more open government, and continued work with local schools.

"I love Walnut," she said. "I understand Walnut and I know what Walnut needs. I have the knowledge and I can get the tasks accomplished, but I need your help."

After her speech, Tang said if elected, she plans to focus on the city budget, traffic, safety, and working closer with the schools.

"We need to build a future for the kids," she said.

Known by supporters as a leader who prefers to stay out of the spotlight, Tang said she is ready step out front now.

"I am just focused on my campaign," she said. "I will do the right thing for this community. I just want to contribute to this city."

Besides serving as a three-term president of Walnut High's Chinese American Parents Association, Tang is also the founder of the World Youth Education foundation and a board member of the coordinating council of the Walnut Valley Unified School District and the Chinese American Association of Walnut, according to her biography.

Several local political leaders and activists spoke in support of Tang, including Walnut City Councilman Eric Ching.

Ching said he sees Tang as someone who, like him, wants to focus on local issues.  He added that Tang is there for the community when there is a problem and help is needed.

"What we need to do is do our job first, to stick to the local and listen to our citizens," Ching said.  "Do your job first before you go out there in the pictures and to different events. I think that's what Betty would do."

Tang also has earned the support of Diamond Bar City Councilwoman Ling-Ling Chang, who urged attendees to work hard to get the candidate elected.

Chang, who also is running for state Assembly, said before deciding to endorse Tang, the two talked for hours about her involvement in the community.

"She has that well-rounded background to lead the city," Chang said. "I am very very very proud that she decided to step forward and run for city council. She is the right person to be on the city council."

Also at the event in support of Tang was Howard Wang, who previously ran for council and serves on the board of the Chinese American Association of Walnut.
Wang said he was not representing the group in his support of Tang.

He said he has worked with her through the Chinese American Parents Association at Walnut High and lauded her dedication and enthusiasm for serving the community.

"Not only will she work hard to resolve situations and issues for the city, but also she is an ethical person and I think that's critical," he said.  "Betty is a hard worker and she deals with local issues."

Ben Su, past president of the Regional Chamber of Commerce and president of the Walnut Rotary Club, recalled urging Tang to run and how happy he was when she told him she decided to go forward.

"(She's) somebody that you can trust, is very dedicated, very hardworking and really cares about the community, a very good listener and really one to take issues to heart," Su said. "That is what Betty is all about."