Indian American Impact, an organization established in 2016 to engage Indian Americans and South Asians in public life and politics in the U.S., is actively rallying support for U.S. Vice President and Democratic Presidential candidate Kamala Harris. The group has been dedicated to increasing civic participation, addressing political issues relevant to Indian Americans and South Asians, and enhancing the representation of community members in public office.
Chintan Patel, the executive director of Impact and a seasoned campaign and political organizer who joined the organization earlier this year, shared with the Times of India that Impact is now fully focused on boosting support for Vice President Harris’s campaign. They aim to ensure a significant turnout from the Indian American community in her favor.
Patel emphasized their efforts in mobilizing support in key battleground states such as Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, where there is a substantial Indian diaspora. He believes that Indian Americans in these states could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the upcoming Presidential election. Indian Americans, being the fastest-growing immigrant community in many U.S. states, are increasingly influential in American politics.
Impact’s activities in support of Harris include phone banking to engage South Asian voters in Michigan, distributing postcards, sharing articles and social media content, and canvassing within the community. The organization, which has endorsed Harris for President, has also launched a website to serve as a central hub for the South Asian American electorate to support her.
Patel noted the strong enthusiasm within the community, with 1,000 volunteers signing up in just one week. With over 15 years of experience in grassroots organizing and political campaigns, Patel is confident in their efforts to galvanize support. He highlighted that Impact, which has endorsed and supported 164 candidates across the U.S., is also reaching out to elected representatives and community leaders to back Harris’s campaign.
Additionally, the organization is actively raising funds from Indian Americans for Harris’s campaign. Patel mentioned that there is significant grassroots support among South Asians, with many small donors eager to contribute and be part of the campaign.
