Here’s why we enthusiastically endorse Yan Mei Wang for Mercer County Commissioner:

The “County Line” in primary election ballots: Being placed in a preferential ballot position unfairly benefits some candidates and disadvantages others. Recognizing the outsize influence of the “county line” primary election ballots on the outcomes of elections, and the considerable voter confusion that they cause, I will therefore advocate for an “Office Bloc” ballot as is used in every other state and in some counties in NJ (see http://ggcnj.org/resolution for more information).

Contract Vetting: I will rigorously review all county contracts to make sure they reflect fiscal responsibility and the values of constituents.

Pay to Play: I will not exchange professional service contracts for donations to my campaign or the campaigns of my friends/allies. When possible, I will open contracts up for a competitive bidding process, instead of automatically renewing last year’s contract.

Ethics Reform: I support ethics reforms that would require broader disclosure of financial information (e.g., investments) by candidates for county commissioner, as a means for regulating campaigns and limiting corruption.

Professionalism: I will commit my time and energy to full length meetings that make information accessible to the public. I will not support rushing through an abbreviated consent agenda

Meeting location and accessibility: I support using technology to make meeting attendance more accessible for residents, both publicly in person and via live-streaming of meetings (e.g., zoom) or other remote attendance options.

Meeting Structure: I believe that county commissioners should hear from the public that they represent, and therefore I will not limit public comment beyond reasonable rules that make it possible for all who want to contribute, to do so (e.g., no more than 3 minutes per speaker). When possible, I will be responsive to public input.

Information reporting: I support easily accessible online meeting agendas and minutes. I support user-friendly budgets so residents can easily see how public funds are allocated. I support user friendly agendas that include explainers about resolutions being voted on.

Responsible County Administration & Oversight: I will work to ensure that the county entities and public services I oversee (such as libraries, parks, technical schools, community colleges, correction facilities, and infrastructure) are safe, professionally staffed, and appropriately funded.

Appointments to Boards, Authorities and Commissions: I will appoint people with diverse perspectives to boards, authorities and committees, opening up government for greater participation, rather than selecting the well-connected. Because new ideas and voices are important, I will seek out new residents to fill these board positions and strive for diversity that represents constituents (e.g., in terms of gender and race), rather than having the same individuals serve for decades.

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More information about Yan Mei Wang:

Email: gwangym@gmail.com
Phone: 314-884-8508
Social media: Facebook
Party affiliation: Democratic party
Date of birth: 9/1/1973

Current Occupation: Community Activist

Education: University of California, Berkeley, Ph.D., Physics, 2002
University of California, Los Angeles, B.A., Physics, summa cum laude, 1996
Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA 1992-1994
Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 1992
Changchun University, Changchun, Jilin, P.R. China, 1989-1991

Public/party service:
Mercer County Community College Presidential Search Committee,
Mercer County American Rescue Plan ($71.2 million) Community Advisory Board (2021),
Friends of West Windsor Open Space,
Huaxia Chinese School at Plainsboro Board,
West Windsor Human Relations Council,
Mercer County Democratic Committee,
West Windsor Democratic Club,
Berrien City Neighborhood Association Steering Committee

• Founded “West Windsor Plastics for West Windsor Parks” and for the Trenton Serenity Garden for violence victims.
• Restored Chinese new book acquisition at Mercer County Library, West Windsor Branch, 2020.
• Solved Mews apartment complex shuttle noise problem since 2016.
• Introduced the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s Pavement Preservation Program concept to West Windsor Township, 2019.
• Helped Trenton children and 2021 Christmas fire victims with clothing, gift and cash donations from West Windsor residents and Chinese community, 2021-2022.
• Staffed county polls with recruited Chinese and English-speaking poll workers, since primary election, 2021.
• Coordinated a well-received and uplifting congratulation letter from Governor Murphy for the Huaxia Chinese School’s virtual graduation ceremony during the pandemic, Jun. 2021.
• Organized N95 and surgical masks and PPE donations from NJ Chinese community to local residents and frontline personnel, Apr. 2020.
• Distributed Mercer County Clerk’s vote-by-mail instructions to 2,000 Mercer County residents through emails and NJ Chinese residents through social media, 2020.
• Initiated a dialogue between Huaxia Chinese School at Plainsboro parents and Deputy Chief of Staff of Outreach of Governor Murphy, Deborah Cornavaca, on Stop-Asian-Hate and COVID-19, May 2021.
• Hosted “American Civil Rights and I” roundtable, a dialogue between Chinese and African Americans (https://youtu.be/jakVcalIgLs), 2021.
• Translated Biao Teng’s (a Chinese dissident in West Windsor) anti-picketing court case, 2020.
• Judged Speak Confidently’s “Speech and Debate Competition,” 2021, and West Windsor-Plainsboro 8th grade project, 2018.
• Spoke at the “Montgomery Speaks Out Against Anti-Asian Racism” virtual event, Mar. 21, 2021, at the Girl Scout Troop 70218 meeting, Nov. 2020, at the Boy Scout Troop 759 meeting, Nov. 2020, and at the West Windsor Lion Scout meeting, Nov. 6, 2017.
• Interviewed at the Voices of West Windsor program organized by West Windsor Historical Society and SR Mosaic Inc, Jun. 2020.
• Volunteer at Mercer County Park Stewardship Crew, Mercer Street Friends—Send Hunger Packing WW-P, West Windsor Little Free Pantry, Hopewell Valley Mobile Food Pantry, Maurice Hawk Parent Teacher Association.