Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Francesca Hong, Governor of Wisconsin

Before 2016, the last time Wisconsin had voted for a Republican was in 1984. If, like me, you are wondering what caused the transformation from a solidly Democratic state in presidential elections to one that supported a right-wing candidate, the answer has something to do with Wisconsin’s labor history. Once the only state that voted for the Progressive Party in 1924, and a state where Socialist Eugene V. Debs won over 11% of the vote in 1920, the reason for Wisconsin’s progressive politics had to do with the strength of organized labor in the state, and the support of workers for candidates who were solidly pro-worker. But in the 21st Century, with the systematic dismantling of unions’ power in the state, along with the rise of grievance politics that struck a nerve with disempowered workers, many in the working class in Wisconsin ironically decided to politically support the same party that took away their power.

We are hoping that change starts now, with the re-empowerment of the working class by progressive politicians. Francesca Hong (she/her), is one such candidate. Fran is a millennial State Assemblywoman and is running for Governor as a Democratic Socialist. Fran is solidly working class - in addition to her job as a lawmaker, she is a line cook and bartender in a restaurant. Fran’s platform is all about providing more for the working class: universal childcare, paid leave for all, fairer cheaper healthcare, and fully funded public education. In addition, she advocates for the abolition of ICE, and introduced legislation aimed to “protect Wisconsin residents from the terroristic overreaches of DHS’s occupation of our communities.”

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Yuh-Line Niou, New York State Senate District 27

Yuh-Line Niou (she/her), is a former New York Assemblywoman who is currently running for State Senate. This queer millennial was the first openly autistic representative in the New York State legislature. Born in Taiwan, she is an anti-poverty advocate and activist who has fought predatory lending and red-lining in New York’s neighborhoods. Yuh-Line has taken progressive stances on many issues, including Medicare for All, Taxing the Rich, the Green New Deal, and Abolishing ICE.

Carlyn Cowen - Organizing All the Time

Carlyn Cowen (they/them) has been agitating for change their entire life. As someone who is queer, Jewish, and Filipinx, none of the aspects of Carlyn’s identity place them in the white supremacist heteronormative patriarchal privileged paradigm. Carlyn’s official career has been providing social services to marginalized communities in New York City, including the Black community, the LGBTQ community, and the Chinese-American community. Read on to learn more about the amazing work that Carlyn has accomplished!

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2024 - Erica Mosca, Nevada Assembly District 14

This is the final week we are highlighting progressive candidates running in the 2024 elections! Erica Mosca (she/her/hers) has the distinction of being the first Filipina to serve in the Nevada State Legislature. This millennial teacher and military spouse grew up in a low-income household and became the first in her family to go to college, graduating with highest honors from Boston University, and then pursuing postgraduate studies in education at UNLV and Harvard. To inspire others to follow in her footsteps, Erica founded a non-profit foundation to enable former students of hers to likewise become first-generation college graduates. Today, Mosca chairs the Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Caucus in the Nevada Assembly. She is passionate about empowering students to grow into leaders in their communities and upending structural inequity and systemic racism.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2024 - Ysabel Jurado, Los Angeles City Council, District 14

Today we are continuing our profiles of candidates across the country who want to bring progressive change to America at all levels of government! Ysabel Jurado (she/hers) is an eviction defense attorney and affordable housing activist running for LA City Council. A daughter of undocumented Filipino immigrants, she became a mother as a teenager and later she put herself through UCLA for both undergraduate and law school. Her work as a tenants rights attorney focused on building pathways to home ownership for communities of color, the preservation of open space, and reparative justice. This millennial single mom identifies as Queer and is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. Her platform focuses on expanding affordable housing, ending homelessness, supporting small businesses, tackling the climate crisis, and building a more just economy for all.

The Tita Collective Is Representing The Family

What is better than your favorite funny aunt? How about a whole collection of them! Let me introduce you to the Tita (aunt in Tagalog) Collection. This theatrical hilarious group of Filipina-Canadian artists is here to entertain and tell us some new stories, not the same boring ones about some white guy in the same-old same-old situation. To learn more about this troupe and find out where you can catch them next, please read on!

The Re-Debut of the Multi-Talented Elisa Nicolas

Elisa Nicolas is a Canadian-born, Ohio-based Asian-American songwriter. For three decades, she has been observing, experimenting, and translating the human experience into song. Elisa’s musical talents extend beyond songwriting, as she is a multi-instrumentalist and singer. Since writing and recording across numerous styles including rock, jazz, country, pop, and R&B, this critically acclaimed Asian-American LGBTQ alternative artist makes her re-debut after a 12 Year hiatus. Her latest song “No Answers” is the leading single of her new album, Year of The Locust, which was released early November. In addition to her musical devotion, she is committed to giving back in her community. Elisa spends time at her local foodbank, MidOhio Foodbank, and dedicates time each year to building houses for Habitat for Humanity. Continue reading below to learn more about the multi-talented woman, Elisa Nicolas!

COVER - Rising From The Ashes

Walking on a runway is glamorous but walking for injustice is empowering. Meet Kaprice Imperial! The Filipina-American model is admirable in challenging the world to do better and to dream of a future that is more inclusive and united. In our interview, Kaprice gets candid with Jejune on what happens before hitting the runway, the effects of her Asian background, and protesting hate crimes. Check out our interview below!

Beverley Huynh - Telling Diverse Stories As A Costume Designer

What does it take to create the right aesthetic for super heroes, post-apocalyptical villains, and pop culture icons? As a costume designer for shows like Flash, Arrow, and The 100, Beverley Huynh knows how to make costumes stand out in binge-worthy media. We were excited to speak with Beverley and get her perspective of costume design in relation to representation. Beverly’s main focus is using her her platform to tell her story about needing to have more women of color in entertainment in front of and behind the camera. In all of her career as a costume designer she has always been one of very few minorities in "the room" making decisions, which is where the real power of Hollywood is. Until there are more people of different cultural backgrounds holding power there will always be an uneven balance in the industry, and that is what Beverley is fighting to change. For more on Beverley, please read our exclusive interview below.

EDITORIAL - Jarry Lee Is A Voice In The Silence

Jarry is a NYC-based model/actress, musician, and influencer who did something courageously out of the ordinary — she came out as bisexual on the hit Netflix show, Dating Around. With a social media following rising at astronomical rates, Jarry never chooses silence. Jarry is a bold voice with an extra aesthetic, and she is committed to lending her voice to strengthen the visibility of the LGBTQ+ and Asian community. In our interview with Jarry, we talk about her life in NYC during the pandemic, her coming out moment, and the current wave of violence against Asian Americans. You don’t want to miss this moment with Jarry! Please read our full and exclusive editorial and interview below.