Lei Ann Larson takes offense at not being referenced as either Filipino, Black, Hispanic, Pacific Islander, or Asian in connection with the California Voting Rights Act of 2002.

Larson, who is running for mayor of Manteca on Nov. 8 against incumbent Ben Cantu and Councilman Gary Singh, has taken exception to a story in Tuesday’s Bulletin headlined “1st district election will result in less minorities.”

The story referenced the state Voting Rights that prompted the City Council to switch to district elections for four council seats in a bid to bolster minority representation. The mayor is still being elected citywide.

She took exception to being referenced as being white and as such would not be counted as part of a minority in the makeup of the next council if she is elected.

Larson, based on an email and a text, believes it is incorrect not to say she is Hispanic American like Cantu or  Asian as Singh is considered under the state law as those with ethnicity traced to the India subcontinent are classified.

“Your article stated that I am white,” Larson wrote in the email. “Not that it is offensive to be called white but the facts change the narrative of your article.  I am a true representation of the makeup of the city  as factually I am considered Hispanic, Pacific Islander, Asian, Black and White.” 

“What I am offended by is being a 10th Generation American and being a true mix of America, you lump me into one category which is one of the issues in society many of us who are multi-ethnic deal with and an issue many children in America face continually.  I am very embarrassed by your article and it is offensive to many families in this community that are of a mixed race.”

Larson’s official campaign site expands on why it is incorrect to reference her simply as being white.

The language on her website notes, “I am a proud 10th Generation American descendant of early (1600s) Scotch Irish, Welsh, German and Africans (the first free people) arriving in America to make a better life for their families. I have a unique perspective as an American because I am a direct descendant of Quakers, who banned slavery early on, while also being a direct descendant of slaves.

“I am also extremely honored to be the granddaughter of a Filipino immigrant who fought a case against U.S. Immigration in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in the 1940s, and whose case paved the way for thousands of immigrants to be awarded citizenship.  Further, the only maternal grandfather I have ever known is my step-grandfather, a Chief Justice of the Apache nation, and I grew up spending time on the White River Reservation in Arizona. America is a melting pot and I am proud to be an All-American.

Overall 41 percent of Manteca’s population is Hispanic, 35 percent non-Hispanic white, 15 percent Asian-American and 5 percent Black. That’s according to the 2020 census.

Based on that the current council essentially reflects the ethnicity makeup with Cantu and Jose Nuño being Hispanic accounting for 40 percent of  the council composition and 41 percent of the population, Charlie Halford and Dave Breitenbucher being white account for 40 percent of the council composition, and 35 percent of the population, and Gary Singh being Indian that is lumped with Asian American accounting for 20 percent of the council composition and 15 percent of the population.

The bottom line of Larson’s assertion is if she is elected, the defeat of Cantu would mean there is still a Hispanic as mayor while at the same time increasing the number of people classified as white.

Whether that squares with the goal of the 2003 California law depends upon whether the intent was defining ethnicity by a person’s dominate ethnicity or if they simply can prove some lineage through DNA testing.

Larson raises another interesting point.

“Where is the gender diversity?,” she asks. “There is no women representation on the council.”

In Manteca’s 104-yar history there have been five women on the council. They were Trena Kelly who was the first directly elected mayor, Jeannie Dowhouser, Jeannie Keaster, Denise Giordano, and Debby Moorhead.

Final Singh meet

& greet is tonight

Mayoral hopeful Gary Singh is hosting his final meet and greet today from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Sourdough Co. at 190 Commerce Drive, Suite 103.

Residents are invited to stop by and ask questions of Singh as well as grab a bite to eat.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com