Asian-Americans boost Yoon's war chest

Fueled by a network of Asian-American supporters from around the country, Sam Yoon, a candidate for an at-large seat on the City Council, has raised more than $21,000, with nearly one-third of the money coming from out of state, records show.

Yoon collected more than $6,700 at a fund-raiser earlier this month hosted by the Korean American Citizens League of New England in Andover, and he has held other fund-raisers in Pennsylvania and New York. While it's not unheard-of for City Council candidates to hold out-of-state fund-raisers, Yoon's far-flung money-raising is drawing attention in a race that's almost a year away.

''It's not standard, that's for sure," said Larry DiCara, a lawyer and former city councilor. ''It shows that this young man isn't limited to traditional funding sources. It shows that he's a contender."

Records show Yoon is out-raising council incumbents Felix D. Arroyo and Stephen J. Murphy. Another candidate, Patricia White, said yesterday that she raised $20,000 at a fund-raiser over the weekend. Along with Yoon, John Connolly, a West Roxbury lawyer, is also expected to join the race for an at-large City Council seat, political observers said. They are vying for four at-large seats on the 13-member City Council. Yoon hopes to capitalize on his status as the first Asian-American to run for City Council in Boston and tap into the growing strength of Hispanic, Asian, and black voters. The son of Korean immigrants, Yoon, 34, of Dorchester, is the housing director of the Asian Community Development Corp. in Chinatown.

Word of his candidacy has spread around the country, especially among Asian-American professionals and first-generation Americans of Korean descent. Aside from Massachusetts, Yoon has collected donations from nine states and Washington, D.C.

''It's my parent's generation who see me as their son," Yoon said yesterday. ''They are proud, as any parents would be. They are extremely excited. Even though a lot of the money is coming from outside of Boston, as someone from their community, they feel I am doing a public service, and they want to see that happen."

Over the weekend, a friend of Yoon's, investment manager John Kim, held a fund-raiser in Manhattan that attracted about 50 people, many young professionals with roots in Boston. The event raised about $2,000.

''Boston is a town where many of us New Yorkers go to get educated," said Kim, who is an investment manager at a New York investment firm. ''Since it's his first time running, we are trying to get as much support as we can."

Although a newcomer to Boston's political campaigns, Yoon is keeping up with the pack, including the incumbents.

Council President Michael F. Flaherty leads with more than $140,000 in the bank at the end of last month, according to reports filed with the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance. Murphy follows with $13,667.74, and Arroyo has $2,068.41. Maura A. Hennigan, who says she has raised about $30,000, is still contemplating a run for mayor against Thomas M. Menino, the encumbent.