“For immigrant communities to be empowered, valued, and connected, we need representation in every aspect and at every level of government. By its very existence, Second Generation encourages people with immigrant backgrounds to step up to run for elected office. By advocating, endorsing, and supporting immigrant candidates, Second Generation will increase the likelihood of success for these candidates.” - Kay Yu
endorsed for JUDGE, Philadelphia COURT OF common pleas
Kay has a vision of running a courtroom where everyone is treated with decency and dignity, where there is respect for the rule of law and compassion for the people.
For Kay Yu, the American Dream is built on fairness and Justice. Kay’s mother brought her to the United States from Korea when she was a baby to find a better life. But when she was in middle school, her family faced the threat of deportation. Years later, Kay argued her own case for citizenship and was sworn in as an American citizen the year she graduated from law school. Since that day, Kay has fought for civil rights, stronger communities, and equal opportunity.
Kay is running for judge to ensure every Philadelphian is treated with fairness, dignity, and respect.
As a judge in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, Kay Yu will make sure justice is equally accessible for every person. That means treating each person with dignity and respect and ensuring that their voices are heard.
Kay served a pivotal role in the 2020 election by helping to ensure every vote was counted as the Voter Protection Director for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party.
Kay Yu planned and implemented a comprehensive voter protection plan to identify and triage problems with voting in the 2020 Primary and General Elections. She was responsible for disseminating high-quality voting information to the public and campaign teams. In doing this important work, Kay built and sustained key political and strategic relationships with the Pennsylvania Department of State, county elections officials, and voter protection volunteers. She established and directed the strategic, technical, and operational needs of a voter protection boiler room and hotline during Voting Early In Person and on Election Day, and served as a resource for legal, legislative, and strategic action against efforts aimed at disenfranchising voters. Kay was responsible for recruiting and training volunteers and attorneys to monitor early voting, Election Day voting, and ballot counting, as well as answering calls and responding to election-related problems to ensure that elections are free, fair and equitable.
Kay has built her career on respect for the rule of law and a fundamental belief in fairness and equality. That’s why she was:
Awarded the Justice Sonia Sotomayor Diversity Award by the Philadelphia Bar Association
Named a Woman of Distinction by the Legal Intelligencer
Named one of Pennsylvania’s Diversity Attorneys of the Year by the Legal Intelligencer and Law Weekly
Appointed by Mayor Michael Nutter to serve as Chairperson of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations
You can learn more about Kay Yu’s thoughts on immigration by reading her piece in the The Legal Intelligencer:
“America Must Reconsider Its Immigration Policy With Compassion” by Kay Yu (The Legal Intelligencer, March 23, 2017)
Visit kayforjudge.com for more info.