🔹 BOOTCAMP
The APALF Bootcamp is an intense training session for future elected officials.
Our goal is to give each graduate of the program a realistic assessment of what it would take for them to win public office. We also want to help prepare candidates for the emotional and psychological challenges involved with running for office. By the end of the program, each participant should have a blueprint for their upcoming campaign. Trainers for this program include California's top political professionals and prominent elected officials.
Training topics include:
🔹 Leadership development
🔹 Media relations
🔹 Coalition building
🔹 Grassroots organizing
🔹 Message development and delivery
Participants are selected based on community involvement, commitment to public service and their ability to seek and win public office. For applicants already serving in public office, the APALF Bootcamp will help prepare them for greater roles and potentially advance to higher elected or appointed office.
Notable Alumni
Hon. Betty Yee
class of 2004
Betty was elected California State Controller in November 2014. Previously, she was elected to the California State Board of Equalization in November 2006 and re-elected in November 2010.
Hon. Evan Low
class of 2004
Evan was elected to the Campbell City Council, in November 2006, and re-elected in 2010. He served as Mayor from 2009-2010. In 2014, Low was elected to the California State Assembly.
Hon. Robert Bonta
class of 2006
Rob was elected to the California State Assembly in 2012 and is currently serving as California State Attorney General. Previously Bonta was elected to the Alameda Healthcare District Board of Directors in November 2008. He also served as campaign manager in Lena Tam's successful election to the Alameda City Council. He was also elected to Alameda City Council in 2010.
Hon. Phil Ting
class of 2004
Phil was re-elected San Francisco Assessor-Recorder in November 2006 and then elected to the California State Assembly in November 2010.
Hon. Phillip Chen
class of 2010
Phillip was elected to the Walnut School Board in March 2011. In 2016, Chen was elected to the California State Assembly.
Hon Mike Fong
class of 2011
Mike was elected to the California State Assembly. Previously Fong was elected to the Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees.
Hon. David Chiu
class of 2006
David was elected to California State Assembly in 2014 and is currently serving as San Francisco City Attorney. Previously, he was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in November 2008 and re-elected in 2012. On his first day as Supervisor, Chiu was chosen by his peers to be President of the Board of Supervisors.
Hon. David Ryu
class of 2007
David was elected to the Los Angeles City Council in 2015. David made history as the first Korean American and second Asian Pacific American (APA) to be elected to the L.A. City Council.
Hon. Eric Mar
class of 2004
Eric was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in November 2008 and re- elected in 2012. Eric Mar was also re-elected to the San Francisco Board of Education in November 2005.
Hon. Lena Tam
class of 2004
Lena was elected to the Alameda City Council in November 2006 – she was the top vote getter. She was re-elected in November 2010. Councilmember Tan was termed out of office in 2014.
Hon. Rod Hsiao
class of 2006
Rod was elected to the San Mateo County Board of Education in November 2006 and re-elected in 2008.
Gap Kim
class of 2004
Gap served as campaign manager in Margaret Abe Koga's successful election to the Mountain View City Council.
Amelia Wang
class of 2006
Amelia served as U.S. Representative Judy Chu's Chief of Staff.
Hon. Paul Lo
class of 2004
Paul was appointed to the Merced County Superior Court by Governor Jerry Brown, becoming the first Hmong American judge to be appointed to any court in the United States.
Hon. Gilbert Wong
class of 2007
Gilbert was elected to the Governing Board of Trustee Foothill-De Anza Community College. Prior, he was elected to the Cupertino City Council in November 2007. He was re-elected in November 2011.
Hon. Steve Ngo
class of 2007
Steve was elected to the San Francisco Community College Board of Trustees in 2009 and re-elected in 2012.
Hon. James Toma
class of 2010
James was elected to the West Covina City Council in November 2013. He was the highest vote-getter in the race.
Hon. Mark Pulido
class of 2010
Mark was elected to the Cerritos City Council in March 2011.
Grande Lum
class of 2010
Grande was appointed by President Barack Obama to Assistant Attorney General and Director of the U.S. Department of Justice, Community Relations Services. Previously, President Obama appointed Lum as head of the HUBZone Program for the United States Small Business Administration.
Hon. Helen Tran
class of 2022
Helen was elected Mayor to City of San Bernardino.
Hon. Raymond Buenaventura
class of 2011
Raymond was elected to the Daly City Council in November 2014. He was sworn into office by APALF alum Assemblymember Phil Ting.
Hon. Clint Weirick
class of 2022
Clint was elected to Grover Beach City Council.
Hon. Stewart Chen
class of 2011
Stewart was elected to the Alameda City Council in 2012. Councilmember Chen is no longer on the Council.
Hon. Jasmeet Bains
class of 2022
Jasmeet was elected to CA State Assembly.
Hear From Our Alumni
2006 APALF Bootcamp alum
Rob Bonta
Attorney General・California
APALF is the preeminent training program for Asian Pacific Americans. Without APALF I would not be where I am today.
Phil Ting
Assemblymember・California
2004 APALF Bootcamp alum
I went through the inaugural training class of the Asian Pacific American Leadership Foundation (APALF), and I can state firsthand that this training was instrumental in my success in having the opportunity to serve in public office. APALF brings in the best political consultants in the state to give a hands-on and realistic training approach.
Evan Low
Assemblymember・California
2004 APALF Bootcamp alum
APALF was a priceless experience. The training provided a strong foundation for my journey in public service and the network of APALF alum is unmatched. I appreciated the program’s honesty about how I could make an impact in my community, but also how elected office could change your life. I wouldn’t be where I am today without APALF.