Entering a career in political science is typically not a popular choice for most Asian Americans – a study by the Cleveland Federal Reserve found that only around 1% of Asian students chose majors related to public policy. In contrast, the social sciences in general remain unpopular. The reasons are complex, but are often attributed to an emphasis on stability or prestige that drives many towards high-paying STEM jobs. At the same time, the field of politics is seen as uncertain. Additionally, Asian Americans, while more liberal than most of their counterparts, generally lean more to the center than other groups, with the diverse group being described as a “fairly reliable, moderate bloc” with more conservative positions on issues such as affirmative action and transgender rights. 

Current Majority Leader of the Maryland House of Delegates, David Moon, represents a clear break from both of these trends. For one, having been born in Takoma Park, Maryland, to Korean immigrants in 1979, Moon’s life has been shaped by politics and civic engagement from an early age. However, his advocacy for progressivism also sets the state delegate apart – a strong supporter of Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and a proponent of redrawing Maryland’s congressional maps to combat Republican-led efforts to gerrymander the State’s Districts. Moon’s story is a long, winding road that showcases the diversity and ever-increasing power of the Asian American community in Maryland. 

Having grown up in nearby Bethesda, David Moon attended Walt Whitman High School and then went on to attend both Tufts University and American University for college. His interest in the humanities began at an early age, with Moon graduating with degrees in sociology and psychology. After graduating in 2004, Moon entered the world of politics, where he was involved in several organizations, including the electoral reform lobbying group FairVote and the civil liberties-supporting Demand Progress. Additionally, he founded a Maryland politics-centered blog, Maryland Juice, and co-authored a book about his work at Demand Progress.

Eventually, Moon entered state politics. He launched a campaign for the 20th District of the Maryland House of Delegates in 2013, winning the Democratic primary and going on to be comfortably elected in the general election. He became the first Korean-American (alongside Representative Mark Chang) to be elected to the Maryland General Assembly. In the House, Moon quickly rose through the ranks, becoming renowned for his passionate defense of legislation in floor debates, particularly those on criminal justice issues. 

This passion also drew attention from leadership in Annapolis – in 2023, House Speaker Adrienne Jones, having called Moon a “proven leader in the House” and someone who “led the debate on some of the contentious issues,” appointed him as the House Majority Leader, a position he still holds two years later. 

Ultimately, David Moon’s story reflects one of resilience and chasing one’s passions, even when facing pushback or resistance from others – whether long-held traditions or colleagues on the other side of the aisle in state government. Likewise, it showcases both the power of standing up for one’s core beliefs and the wisdom of finding common ground and building connections with others.

“I always thought I was going to be working for someone else behind the scenes doing these things,” reflected Moon. “We didn’t have a Jesse Jackson-type figure for the Asian community, and we didn’t feel very numerous…to begin with.” Still, Moon kept going, breaking the bamboo ceiling and becoming one of today’s top voices in Maryland’s government.