SACRAMENTO- The second organization representing California educators, the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges (FACCC), has endorsed Democrat Sukhee Kang in the open Senate District 29 race. The district is at the confluence of Orange, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. Kang previously was endorsed by the California Federation of Teachers. 

 

The Faculty Association of California Community Colleges is a statewide professional membership association, founded in 1953, that advocates for all faculty at the state's community colleges. With members at all 113 campuses across California, FACCC provides focused representation for the community college faculty, promoting funding, academic freedom and retirement 

 

"The Faculty Association of California Community Colleges Political Action Committee (FACCC PAC) proudly endorses Sukhee Kang for Senate," said FCCC Executive Director Jonathan Lightman. "Kang's record on public education is exemplary. As a university educator himself, Kang understands higher education and the unique role of community colleges. Sukhee Kang will be a strong advocate for higher education in the Legislature." 

 

"I am pleased and grateful the association representing faculty in our largest public higher education system has endorsed me in my race for the Senate," Kang said. "California's community colleges are an enormously important part of our economy and our communities, and provide the only post-secondary education opportunity available to many Californians. I look forward to working with FACCC to help improve our educational system at all levels." 

 

Kang also has won the support of Sen. Kevin de León, the current president pro tempore and Democratic leader of the Senate, Senate Majority Leader Bill Monning, and Sen. Connie Leyva, chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus.  In addition, four past presidents pro tem of the Senate have come out in support of Kang's candidacy. 

 

Kang announced his candidacy for the open 29th Senate District on April 22, the first Democrat to do so, and has since picked up dozens of endorsements from state and local officials, community leaders and organizations throughout Orange, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.  The district is currently represented by former Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff, who cannot run again due to term limits. 

Kang was a two-term city councilmember in Irvine, as well as a two-term mayor of the city, reelected overwhelmingly in 2010 with more than 64 percent of the vote. He and his wife Joanne, also a South Korean native who immigrated to the U.S. with him in 1977, have been residents of Orange County for 39 years and now live in Fullerton.