Wisconsin is at the epicenter of intense campaigning by both political parties as the November elections approach.

But away from the presidential campaign rallies, a young Filipino-American is trying to keep the issues and politics as local as possible.

Angelito Tenorio is campaigning to represent District 14, which covers parts of Western Milwaukee and the city of West Allis.

The 28-year-old is the son of parents who immigrated to the U.S. from the Philippines in the hopes of a better life.

Tenorio has vowed to fight climate change, push for funding in public schools, as well as improve access to healthcare, and advocate for good-paying union jobs.

"If I win this race, I would be the first Filipino American elected to the state legislature in Wisconsin," he said.

Tenorio, who was born and raised in West Allis, was the first person of color and the youngest to be elected to the city council in 2020.

"Even though I'm the first, I know I won't be the last," he said. "I want to make it easier for other candidates to follow me, for other Asian American and Filipino American candidates to get involved in the process.”

The state assembly candidate, however, recalled that his journey to politics has not been easy.

"It was hard to break the seal and break the mold of politics and government because I think for far too long, especially in the Asian American community, especially in the Filipino American community there aren't a lot of people that look like us," he said.

The former Army National Guard member faces two other Democrats in the primary election on Aug. 13. Regardless of the results, Tenorio said he will remain involved in politics.

“The Asian American community is the fastest growing demographic in Wisconsin," he said. "When we show up, we decide who has control of the governor's mansion and the state legislature.”

According to the Asian American Pacific Islander Vote, there are over 100,000 eligible AAPI voters in the state as of 2022.

In four out of the last six presidential elections, Wisconsin has been decided by a margin of just a percentage point.