Head of San Luis Obispo elections responds to “Inexcusable racial slur” during voting debate

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – As San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors split on decisions about election rules, one item brought them together- support for County Clerk Recorder Tommy Gong.

"I am going to start off by saying to Tommy that I am sorry that somebody equated you to the Chinese Communist,” said SLO County Supervisor John Peschong at Tuesday night’s meeting. “I respect the job that you’ve done. I do not believe you are a Chinese Communist.”

“It was eye opening for everyone who was in on the meeting to hear the comments that were made,” said County Clerk Recorder Tommy Gong.

It happened as supervisors listened to many people voice their opinions on elections.

After all 135 comments were played, they found it important to apologize for the one against Gong.

“I know where you are from, I know your kids and I know you come from a good family,” said Supervisor Peschong.

Gong has worked for the County 16 years. He was the first elected Asian American to his current role in 2015.

“When something like that is being said it really kind of rears its ugly head and it’s really a concern and disturbing,” said Gong. “You know it’s disturbing for someone like me to hear these sorts of things.”

Gong condemns the language.

“I am a third generation of the state of California, my mother was born in Madera and I was born in Modesto,” said Gong. “Obviously I am a U.S. citizen, I carry a passport, and to hear these types of insinuations is really kind of insulting.”