New Delhi: Indian-Americans are the second-largest immigrant group in America. The politically active community holds immense sway and power over the outcome of the American election in any given year. The Indian American community is a staunch supporter of the principles, values and the policies the Democratic Party stands for and have come out in thousands to support the Democratic Party in every election.
Around 5.2 million Indian-Americans live in America, of which 2.6 million are registered voters. According to a recent survey looking at the attitudes of Indian-Americans towards each party, revealed nearly 61 percent of the Indian-Americans are supporting the Democratic Party’s Presidential pick Kamala Harris in the upcoming elections.
Although far fewer respondents identified as Democrats in the Indian American Attitude Survey (IAAS), only 47 percent as compared to 56 percent when the survey was last conducted in 2020, majority of the Indian-American community continue their support for the Democratic Party. Support for the Republican among Indian-Americans has remained steady since the 2020 elections cycle at 21 percent, however, those who identify as independent has spiked to 26 percent.
The survey also indicated a gap in candidate preferences between genders among the community with Indian-American women disproportionately favoring Harris over Trump, while many young Indian-American men are leaning toward the strongman attitude that Trump represents. 67 percent of Indian-American women plan to vote for Harris, while only 53 percent of men intend on voting for Harris. In comparison, far fewer Indian-American women, only 22 percent, are swayed by the strongman appeal of Trump, however, 39 percent of Indian-American men are drawn in by Trump’s charismatic appeal and showmanship.
A further breakdown by age, suggests the difference in candidate preferences between genders to be starkest among younger voters. The survey indicated that 70 percent of women and 60 percent of men of Indian-American registered voters over the age of 40 are planning to vote for Harris. In contrast, 60 percent of Indian American women under the age of 40 intend on voting for Harris, while a roughly equal number of Indian-American men are split between the two candidates.
The survey indicates abortion and rising inflation and prices to be the major factor behind the continual support of the Indian-American community for the Democratic Party. The issue of abortion and reproduction rights is salient among the Indian-American voters, especially women voters, who would like to have control over their bodies. While, inflation and rising cost of living is the number one concern of Indian men.
Further, the survey suggests that Indian-Americans support the Democratic Party because it is more in sync with the wants and the demands of the community. The Republican party’s extreme stance in opposition of immigration and intolerance towards monitories is a major factor dissuading Indian-Americans from supporting the party.
