TACOMA, EASTSIDE & SOUTH END - THANK YOU
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Tacoma, Eastside and Southend.
I say this to you with a heart full of gratitude and a spirit unbroken, because although the results didn’t tip in our favor, this isn't a loss. We came up short in the count, but we won something far more valuable: community, courage, and a deep sense of what is possible when we organize with purpose.
First, let me thank the people who made the impossible happen. To the tireless team, running on fumes and faith. Thank you. Thank you for carving out the time in your busy lives to commit to what you believed in. I know this campaign was squeezed into evenings and weekends, stolen hours between your daily obligations as parents and working full time. Yet you showed up, again and again, giving time you didn't have because you believe in the possibility of change. That kind of commitment, that kind of sacrifice, is a debt I can never fully repay. I am grateful.
To my family, thank you for your endless patience and strength. I stand firm because of you.
To our generous donors, proving that small contributions can take on big money. And to every single volunteer, the canvassers, the door-knockers, you are the engine of change in this district, and you deserve a debt of gratitude that money can’t repay.
To every person who put their name, their time, or their hope behind this campaign: you are the reason we made it this far.
This campaign was never about one person. It was about all of us, and what we dared to imagine together.
We knew from the start what we were up against. This campaign required guts, integrity, and the kind of stamina you only find when you’re fighting for something truly righteous. This was an uphill battle, where we traded landlord PAC checks for clipboard conversations, and swapped establishment approval for the fierce, independent judgment of working families.
We built this movement not on cynicism or fear, but on a defiant vision grounded in hope, love, and the visibility of everyday working people. We looked at the status quo—the stagnant wages, the rising rents, the neighborhoods on the Eastside and Southend forgotten by the establishment and we dared to say: we deserve better. And we dared to build the power necessary to take it.
I want to express my profound gratitude to the community organizations that linked arms with us, understanding that economic justice and social justice are inseparable.
Thank you to the labor unions—the hard working people who built this city—for believing that a campaign powered by the people could truly fight for their contracts and their dignity.
And to the local businesses in the Lincoln District, who have never endorsed a candidate. Your courage to stand with us sends a clear message: the future of this community won’t be bought, it will be built, together.
And to our neighbors of Tacoma’s District 4, this year tells a story of awakening. New voters came out. Neighbors talked to neighbors. Families voted together for the first time. That’s the power of a grassroots movement — it doesn’t end when the polls close. It plants seeds that grow long after election day.
And I promise you this: I will never forget the sacrifices you made or the belief you placed in this movement. The work does not end here—it only shifts. Because our city is still calling us. The struggle for equity, housing, opportunity, and dignity continues, and together, we will keep showing up.
Thank you.
Why would a Tacoma City Council candidate bring his campaign to Seattle?
For Silong Chhun, it’s about mobilizing regional support—and building solidarity across community lines. On Oct. 5, State Rep. My-Linh Thai co-hosted a fundraiser for Chhun at Mam’s Books in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District, drawing supporters from across King and Pierce counties.
Thai urged Seattle-area residents to back Chhun’s campaign, especially refugee and immigrant communities.
“We believe that we could have people here in King County to support his campaign. It’s very important bringing all of the refugees in. I mean, we have the numbers.”
VOTE FOR SILONG CHHUN • NOVEMBER 4
Tacoma's District 4, the Eastside and South End, tell a story of resilience, diversity, and hope. As Cambodian refugees, my family found fertile ground to plant new roots in these very neighborhoods. When we arrived here with little more than dreams and determination, this community embraced us, giving us the chance to rebuild our lives and grow strong once again. I've walked these streets not just as a passerby, but as someone whose life has been shaped by every corner, every challenge, and every triumph this community has faced.
From attending Lister Elementary, Mcilvaigh Middle School, and graduating from Lincoln High School to now raising my own family here, my roots run deep. The unique fabric of our community - woven from the stories of immigrants, refugees, and working-class families - isn't just something I've observed; it's a reality I've lived, breathed, and understood through decades of shared experiences. This profound connection to our district isn't something that can be learned quickly; it's earned through years of walking alongside our neighbors, understanding their struggles, and celebrating their successes.
My vision for the Eastside, South End, and Tacoma is grounded in a fundamental belief: we are only as strong as our most vulnerable neighbors. The measure of our community's success isn't in the prosperity of a few, but in ensuring everyone has a fighting chance at a dignified life. I believe in a Tacoma where working full-time means more than just surviving - it means thriving. Where economic progress isn't measured solely by businesses and their profits, but by how it lifts up every member of our community.
This isn't just about creating short-term solutions; it's about building launch pads for those on the verge of losing hope. Whether it's supporting small businesses that serve as the backbone of our neighborhood, ensuring affordable housing remains within reach, or advocating for programs that prevent homelessness before it begins, my commitment is to lead with empathy, understanding, and dedication to the common good.
I don't just want to represent District 4 - I want to champion the dreams and aspirations of every family who, like mine, sees the Eastside and South End as not just a place to live, but a place to belong and prosper.
(My cousins, uncles, and mom, Tacoma, 1980-something)
During the summer, Salishan came alive with family gatherings and shared meals. The adults would play Six Cards, a Cambodian card game that survived the war, while children explored the neighborhood on their bicycles, creating a lively atmosphere that defined the season.
If you share this vision for a stronger, more accountable and inclusive Tacoma, where every family has the opportunity to thrive, I invite you to join me- your support will help us build the future our community deserves.
VOTE FOR SILONG CHHUN BY NOVEMBER 4
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