When US Vice President Kamala Harris surged to the top of the Democratic ticket, it ignited enthusiasm among South Asian Americans. They rallied behind her, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for her campaign, and garnered support from influential figures like author Salman Rushdie. Harris, the first Indian American and Black woman nominated for president by a major political party, appeared poised to capture significant backing from the Indian American community.
However, Harris faces notable challenges in solidifying this support. A shifting political landscape has seen some Indian Americans drifting towards her opponent, Donald Trump. Factors such as Trump’s tax policies, his emphasis on small business, and his close ties with Prime Minister Narendra Modi have influenced this shift.
Rakesh Patel, a 38-year-old entrepreneur from Arlington, Virginia, was quoted by Nikkei.com as explaining, “Trump’s ‘Make America Great Again’ slogan echoes Modi’s ‘Make India Great Again.’ The Modi-Trump camaraderie is a key reason why some Indian Americans are backing the Republicans”.
A deepening divide
The divide within the Indian American community is becoming more pronounced. Despite a historical leaning towards Democrats, recent trends reveal a growing Republican inclination. Raashina Humayun, a 53-year-old Californian, noted, “Never have our community’s votes been split so sharply along party lines. While I’m supporting the Democrats, increasingly many of my peers and friends who were earlier Democratic supporters are leaning towards Republicans.”
Similarly, Illinois University student Pooja Khemka pointed out the appeal of Trump’s proposal to offer green cards to international students. “Indian students feel that while our roots belong in India, our future is in the US A green card is the ticket to that future,” Khemka said as quoted by Nikkei.com.
Demographic shifts and political influence
Indian Americans have become a significant voting bloc, with their numbers surging more than tenfold since the early 1990s. According to AAPI Data, there are over 2.1 million eligible Indian American voters. The community’s influence is growing, as Asian Americans make up 6.1% of eligible voters nationwide.
Recent polling data reflects these changes. A survey by AAPI Data indicated a drop in the percentage of Indian Americans identifying as Democrats, from 54% in 2020 to 47% in 2024. Conversely, those identifying as Republicans rose from 16% to 21% in the same period. Additionally, Harris’ favorability among Indian American voters has declined from 62% in 2022 to 54% in July 2024, reported Nikkei.com.
Republican appeal
The rise of prominent Indian American Republicans, such as former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, also plays a role. Mukesh Aghi, president and CEO of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, observed, “There are increasingly prominent Indian-American politicians on the Republican side, and therefore, politicians represent a changing demographic trend as well.”
Economist Arun Kumar was quoted by Nikkei.com as saying, “The Republicans’ promise of bringing jobs back from undocumented migrants and reducing taxes on the rich have a great appeal for Indian American voters, most of whom have far higher median incomes than average Americans”.
The average household earnings for Indian Americans stand at $123,700, nearly double the national average of $63,922, according to the latest US Census data.
Harris’ potential impact
Despite these challenges, Harris’ candidacy holds the potential to reverse the trend. Her historic rise could resonate deeply with Indian American voters who connect with her heritage and achievements. Mukesh Aghi remarked, “Her presence on the Democratic ticket would have an emotional recall for many Indian American voters, particularly those who resonate with her heritage and her achievements”.
As the election approaches, Harris’ campaign will need to navigate these complex dynamics to recapture and galvanize support from the Indian American community, which remains a critical voting bloc in the upcoming election.
However, Harris faces notable challenges in solidifying this support. A shifting political landscape has seen some Indian Americans drifting towards her opponent, Donald Trump. Factors such as Trump’s tax policies, his emphasis on small business, and his close ties with Prime Minister Narendra Modi have influenced this shift.
Rakesh Patel, a 38-year-old entrepreneur from Arlington, Virginia, was quoted by Nikkei.com as explaining, “Trump’s ‘Make America Great Again’ slogan echoes Modi’s ‘Make India Great Again.’ The Modi-Trump camaraderie is a key reason why some Indian Americans are backing the Republicans”.
A deepening divide
The divide within the Indian American community is becoming more pronounced. Despite a historical leaning towards Democrats, recent trends reveal a growing Republican inclination. Raashina Humayun, a 53-year-old Californian, noted, “Never have our community’s votes been split so sharply along party lines. While I’m supporting the Democrats, increasingly many of my peers and friends who were earlier Democratic supporters are leaning towards Republicans.”
Similarly, Illinois University student Pooja Khemka pointed out the appeal of Trump’s proposal to offer green cards to international students. “Indian students feel that while our roots belong in India, our future is in the US A green card is the ticket to that future,” Khemka said as quoted by Nikkei.com.
Demographic shifts and political influence
Indian Americans have become a significant voting bloc, with their numbers surging more than tenfold since the early 1990s. According to AAPI Data, there are over 2.1 million eligible Indian American voters. The community’s influence is growing, as Asian Americans make up 6.1% of eligible voters nationwide.
Recent polling data reflects these changes. A survey by AAPI Data indicated a drop in the percentage of Indian Americans identifying as Democrats, from 54% in 2020 to 47% in 2024. Conversely, those identifying as Republicans rose from 16% to 21% in the same period. Additionally, Harris’ favorability among Indian American voters has declined from 62% in 2022 to 54% in July 2024, reported Nikkei.com.
Republican appeal
The rise of prominent Indian American Republicans, such as former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, also plays a role. Mukesh Aghi, president and CEO of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, observed, “There are increasingly prominent Indian-American politicians on the Republican side, and therefore, politicians represent a changing demographic trend as well.”
Economist Arun Kumar was quoted by Nikkei.com as saying, “The Republicans’ promise of bringing jobs back from undocumented migrants and reducing taxes on the rich have a great appeal for Indian American voters, most of whom have far higher median incomes than average Americans”.
The average household earnings for Indian Americans stand at $123,700, nearly double the national average of $63,922, according to the latest US Census data.
Harris’ potential impact
Despite these challenges, Harris’ candidacy holds the potential to reverse the trend. Her historic rise could resonate deeply with Indian American voters who connect with her heritage and achievements. Mukesh Aghi remarked, “Her presence on the Democratic ticket would have an emotional recall for many Indian American voters, particularly those who resonate with her heritage and her achievements”.
As the election approaches, Harris’ campaign will need to navigate these complex dynamics to recapture and galvanize support from the Indian American community, which remains a critical voting bloc in the upcoming election.
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