Young Sung: First Asian American To Run For Carrollton City Council

Young Sung on Asia World Magazine full cover (AWM 2015 Spring Issue). Pickup a hard copy at your nearest North Texas Asian supermarket.

By Alana Tran
AWM Contributor

During the past several years Carrollton, Texas has been named one of America’s “Top 100 Places to Live” by Relocate America and selected as the 19th best place to live in the U.S. by Money magazine. The city is considered both vibrant and diverse, with an estimated population of 126,700 (according to the 2013 U.S. census) including more than 16,000 Asian Americans. Yet, up until now, Carrollton has not had one Asian American candidate or representative in public office.

Young Sung and his family.

On May 9^th, 2015, Carrollton voters will visit the polls to appoint new members for the City Council. Among the candidates vying for Place 5 on Carrollton’s City Council is Asian American candidate, Young Sung. Sung has lived in Carrollton since the 80’s, and currently works as a Bilingual Interpreter for Homeland Security, Immigration and the FBI. Sung is also a Texas licensed real estate broker by trade. If elected, Sung would be the first Asian American in office for the City of Carrollton.

Young Sung and his wife, Susan, having their morning meeting before heading to the campaign trail.

Asia World Media sat down with Young Sung, in a wide-ranging interview, which covers his background as well as his goals for bringing business, jobs and increasing tax revenues to the City of Carrollton. When talking with him, it is self-evident that Sung feels strongly about life in the United States, and wants to make it a better place for his wife and two children. Those feelings have been with him for a long time, as his parents moved to the United States when he was eleven so that he and his siblings could have a better life. Now he wants to give back.

First, Sung’s campaign is based on “Fiscal Responsibility – Future Planning – Economic Development” for the City of Carrollton. By bringing local/national/international economic developments to the City of Carrollton (LG and Samsung – for example), residents of Carrollton will reap the benefits, leading to increased jobs/employments, with improved and enhanced public facilities and amenities that will make Carrollton, one of the most desirable places to live and to work, in the state of Texas.

Education is also very important to Sung. To contribute to the country that provided him and his family a better life, he personally pursued higher academia with vigor, quoting Walt Whitman, “a great city is that which has the greatest men and women.” Sung himself received both a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Maryville College in Maryville, and his MBA from Le Tourneau University. He also attended two and a half years of law school. Through these experiences, Sung believes that higher education can provide a better job and a higher income, which will in turn allow one to contribute and to give back to their community.
Alongside these plans, Sung is a staunch supporter in volunteering his time to the causes that are near and dear to his heart. Sung has taught Sunday school for over twenty years and has worked with the Korean American Sports Association in bringing local and national competitions to the US. He is also a member of both the Chamber of Commerce and the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Rotary Club. These memberships are made up of business and civic leaders from the community who come together to help make the world a better place.

Sung’s other charitable work includes helping out elders and seniors. Sung believes that “with age comes wisdom and a life full of experiences.” One of Sung’s initiatives is to build the “best-of-the best senior centers.” He believes by properly treating the elders this will bridge the compassion and understanding between the current generation and the prior generation.

Young Sung spending some quality time with some of Carrollton’s seniors.

Currently, Sung’s endorsements are extensive but are not limited to – The Carrollton Fire Fighters Association, The Carrollton Police Officers Association, Ron Branson (former Mayor of Carrollton), Becky Miller (former Mayor of Carrollton), Shirley Tarpley (Former Mayor Pro Tem), Pat Malone (Former Pro-Tem Mayor of Carrollton), H-Mart Super Market, Korea Central Daily Newspaper, N. Dallas Gazette Newspaper, Korean Society of Dallas, Korean Women’s Association, and Rev. R. Michael and Phyllis Stromile of St. John Baptist Church of Carrollton.

Carrollton’s Fire Fighter Association President Derek Chaky and Young Sung.

Young Sung and Carrollton’s Fire Chief John Murphy.

Young Sung and Carrollton’s Police Officers Association President Michael Wall.

Carrollton’s Chief of Police Rex D. Redden and Young Sung.

Becky Miller (Former Mayor for the City of Carrollton) and Young Sung.

Young Sung, Shirley Tarpley (Former Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Carrollton) and Joe Pouncy.

Young Sung and Ron Smith, the constable for precinct 6.

When asked if “ONE VOTE WOULD COUNT?” Sung responded with “EVERY VOTE COUNTS.” To prove a point, he referenced back to a historic scenario in 1649. That one vote difference caused Charles I of England to be executed. Additionally, almost two-hundred years later, in 1845, one vote brought Texas and California into the Union. It is this belief that has Sung asking voters “If you believe Carrollton should be a top tier city, as a place to live, to work and to play, I humbly ask for your vote.”

To find out more about Young Sung, please visit www.voteforyoungsung.org and on Facebook www.facebook.com/voteyoungsung

Early Voting will take place on the following dates:
April 27 – May 3, 2015: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
May 4, 2015: 1 p.m.-6 p.m.
May 5, 2015: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Election Day:

May 9, 2015

Photo ID is now required to vote in Texas.

Click here for voter registration and polling information for the City of Carrollton:

Dallas County Residents:

Visit dallascountyvotes.org, (or) Call: 214-819-6389

Dallas County residents can vote early at the Josey Ranch Lake Library (Josey & Keller Springs) located at 1700 Keller Springs Road Carrollton, TX 75006