A newly established organisation representing Asian communities suggests that Indian Americans are likely to base their votes in the upcoming U.S. presidential election on candidates’ actions rather than their heritage or race. According to the group, Republican candidate Donald Trump has a stronger record compared to his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.
Harris, at 59, is the first presidential candidate of Indian heritage at the top of a Democratic ticket, which has stirred considerable excitement within the Indian-American community, numbering around five million. However, Holly Ham, co-founder of Asians Make America Great Again (MAGA), told PTI that Indian Americans prioritise tangible achievements over mere heritage. She questioned what Harris has accomplished for the Indian and Asian communities, citing her support for Proposition 47 in California, which promoted racial quotas in universities as a significant concern.
Indian Americans, though predominantly residing in Democratic strongholds like New York, California, and Illinois, also live in key battleground states such as Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and North Carolina. In these swing states, their votes could be pivotal in a close election.
AsiansMAGA, a national political action committee formed by grassroots Asian American leaders, aims to mobilise conservative and moderate Asian Americans—including Chinese, Indian, Korean, Vietnamese, and Filipino communities—to support Trump in the 2024 election. The group, led by individuals with strong records in advocating for equal education rights and other conservative issues, believes that Trump’s merit-based approach contrasts with what they see as the divisive policies of Biden and Harris.
Ham, who previously served in the Trump administration, praised Trump for his commitment to meritocracy and strong relationships with countries like India. She criticised the current administration for perceived weakness in international relations and claimed that Trump’s leadership would have avoided current global conflicts.
AsiansMAGA is focusing on swing states and has translated its website into multiple Asian languages to effectively engage voters. The organisation notes that a significant portion of new immigrant Asians support the Republican Party, and they anticipate that Asian votes in these critical states could sway the 2024 presidential election. Mike Zhao, President of AsiansMAGA, urged Asian Americans to support Trump to ensure the success of American policies and the preservation of the American Dream.
