Asian candidates in both districts said they realize they have to appeal to non-Asian voters, too.

Because of this, both major political parties are expected to field an Asian candidate for the seat in 2008.

It stood its first Asian candidate in local elections in 2006.

The assumption, he says, was that white voters were more likely to elect an Asian candidate than Latinos.

Mrs. Chu said she did not consider herself "the Asian candidate."

I am not just the Asian candidate.

Over the past few years the competition has seen a big boom in Asian candidates.

In addition, Democratic leaders say party affiliation helps black, Hispanic and Asian candidates get elected.

Asian candidates are pressured to distance themselves from Mr. Huang.

Thus only 24 black and Asian candidates represented the major parties in the general election - five fewer than in 1987.