The Yang Gang has a new Silicon Valley leader — Assemblyman Evan Low.
The South Bay legislator announced Wednesday that he is joining Andrew Yang’s presidential campaign as a national co-chair. The news comes on the heels of the latest Democratic debate in Iowa, which excluded Yang much to the disappointment of his supporters, and highly-publicized endorsements from actors Dave Chappelle, Donald Glover, Ken Jeong and Steven Yeun.
In addition to endorsing Yang, Low will join the presidential hopeful at a campaign rally Thursday in San Francisco where the pair will discuss his new role with the campaign and their plans to bolster support in California ahead of Super Tuesday.
“Andrew Yang has proposed the most innovative solutions to the toughest problems facing our nation,” Low said in a statement. “He inspires a brave, bold new vision for our country. His tenacious presidential campaign performance proves he is the candidate we need to make the current occupant in the White House a one-term president.”
Despite not qualifying for Tuesday’s debate because of failing to reach the polling threshold, Yang’s campaign raised a record $16.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. He held a campaign rally in Des Moines on Monday with a crowd of more than 700 supporters — the same day as his 45th birthday. Though he was an unknown contender a year ago, he’s now polling around 3 percent nationally.
Low, one of Silicon Valley’s youngest and most dynamic lawmakers, joins a growing list of local lawmakers who are getting involved in national politics. Congressman Ro Khanna in February was named Bernie Sanders’ national campaign co-chair and a top advisor, while San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo in December joined Mike Bloomberg’s campaign as the California co-chair and on Saturday stumped for him in Pleasanton.
Low, who’s been a champion for LGBTQ rights, maintaining integrity in elections and fighting opioid abuse, does not face a challenger in his re-election to the Assembly this year though he’s rumored to be eyeing a run for statewide office.
Yang, a New York entrepreneur and attorney best known for his initiative to give American adults a universal basic income of $1,000 per month, took the opportunity Wednesday to applaud Low’s efforts in the California Legislature.
“Evan is a dynamic and proven leader in the great state of California,” Yang said in a statement. “Time and time again, he has demonstrated his commitment to representing diverse and dynamic voices and enacting policies that make our society more equitable.
