FUE XIONG VICTORY: FROM VOLUNTEER TO CITY COUNCIL
Fue Xiong never saw himself in the world of politics. Born in Thailand and the son of Hmong immigrants, Xiong and his family settled in Merced, California in 1992 as refugees.
Frustrated with the city’s lack of support for working-class residents, Xiong began volunteering with PowerCA Action to fight for a better future for his family and neighbors. He quickly became a critical leader in Merced’s local politics, testifying at City Council meetings in fierce support of a housing trust fund and deeper investments in youth services.
DEFEATING A REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT SHERIFF
The incumbent Sheriff Delray Shelton, with a long, establishment career in law enforcement, had the support of the Democratic party but consistently voted against affordable housing policies.
Outraised $51,000 to the incumbent’s $121,0000, our campaign focused our efforts on messaging early, bombarding high propensity voters with digital and mail based on oppositional research, and solidifying turnout. As a result, we knocked on 3,000 doors, and sent more than 15,000 mailers.
“PowerCA Action helped to ensure the Merced City Council election was a priority race in the Central Valley,” Xiong says. Xiong won his seat by 157 votes, creating an unprecedented progressive voting block on Merced City Council, and earning PowerCA Action our first people-powered candidate victory.