In the forthcoming 2024 U.S. presidential election, slated for November 5, the 60th quadrennial event, voters will elect a president and vice president for a four-year term. Joe Biden, the incumbent Democratic President, seeks re-election. Republican Donald Trump, his predecessor, vies for a non-consecutive second term. This electoral anticipation is generating interest in India, where four Indian Americans have announced their candidacy.
1. Nikki Haley
Nikki Haley, born as Nimrata Randhawa Haley in 1972 in South Carolina, represents the Republican Party. Daughter of Sikh immigrants from Punjab, she declared her campaign in February 2023. Haley’s political journey commenced as a South Carolina House Representative, leading to her becoming the state’s first female Governor. She also served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
2. Vivek Ramaswamy
Entrepreneur and politician Vivek Ramaswamy, born in 1985 to Kerala-immigrant parents, launched his presidential campaign in 2023 as a Republican candidate. He founded Roivant Sciences, a biotech-oriented firm, and authored “Woke, Inc: Inside Corporate America’s Social Justice Scam.”
3. Hirsh Vardhan Singh
Indian-American aerospace engineer Hirsh Varshan Singh, a “lifelong Republican,” announced his bid for the Republican nomination. Despite prior attempts in primaries, he seeks to restore American values as president.
4. Shiva Ayyadurai
Scientist and entrepreneur Shiva Ayyadurai, with multiple degrees from MIT, ran for Senate unsuccessfully. His presidential candidacy focuses on innovation, entrepreneurship, and practical governance.
Collectively, these Indian American contenders contribute to the election’s international attention.
