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Indian American Voters Hesitate Harris
Indian American Voters Reluctant Towards Harris
Hesitation Among Indian Americans
Washington: Senior Indian American leader Swadesh Chatterjee has observed a reluctance within the Indian American community to support Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming November 5 election. According to Chatterjee, Harris has not built a strong base among Indian Americans during her previous roles as a Senator or Attorney General of California. This hesitancy is partly due to her lack of engagement with the community throughout her political career, despite her Indian heritage.
Campaign Efforts for Harris
Chatterjee, a Padma Bhushan awardee, has been actively working to garner support for Harris through the Indian Americans for Harris group. He and his team have been campaigning for Harris, particularly in North Carolina, and are also organizing support in other battleground states. Despite these efforts, Chatterjee acknowledges the challenges Harris faces in earning the loyalty of the Indian American community. The feedback his team has received indicates that many members of the community remain unfamiliar with Harris and her record.
Harris’s Struggles to Build Community Ties
One significant reason for the reluctance is that Kamala Harris, despite her Indian roots, did not establish a connection with the Indian American community during her tenure as Attorney General of California or as a Senator. Chatterjee noted that Harris did not participate in community meetings or events during those years, which left a gap in her relationship with this demographic. “She did not have that kind of base though she is of Indian origin,” Chatterjee said in an interview with PTI.
Challenges for the Harris Campaign
Chatterjee emphasized that the Harris campaign is aware of these challenges and is making efforts to address them. However, he believes that overcoming the hesitation of Indian American voters will be difficult. “They knew very well that Kamala did not have loyalty from both the Asian American and South Asian community,” he said. This loyalty gap has been a hurdle in building widespread support for her candidacy.
Factors Influencing Indian American Voters
Chatterjee highlighted that the Indian American community is not monolithic and has diverse perspectives. “Indian Americans who are more affluent tend to support Republican nominee Donald Trump because they believe he will lower taxes,” he explained. Additionally, many who are inclined towards Hinduism think that Trump might strengthen US-India relations, partly due to events like Howdy Modi in Texas and Namaste Trump in Ahmedabad. These events have shaped the perception that Trump has a favorable stance towards India.
Engagement with Indian Heritage
While Kamala Harris initially did not emphasize her Indian heritage during her earlier political career, Chatterjee noted that this changed after she was nominated as Vice President. “When she was nominated as vice president, she made more efforts to connect with the Indian American community,” he said. Harris acknowledged her Indian roots during the Democratic convention, which led to increased support from community leaders. Chatterjee has even created a video and a website to remind the community of her heritage and urged them to support her, aligning with the Democratic party line.
Indian American Contributions in the US
The website created by Chatterjee emphasizes the growing presence of Indian Americans in the United States, with the community nearing the five-million mark. A significant portion of this community has been born in the US, contributing actively to the nation in various fields like medicine, IT, scientific research, education, and corporate leadership. The Indian American community is also recognized for owning numerous small businesses, generating employment opportunities, and being the highest-income group among Asian Americans.
Community Sentiment and Political Divides
Responding to a question, Chatterjee pointed out that the Democratic Party has categorized Indian Americans within the Asian-American-Pacific Islanders group, a move that has not been well-received by many in the community. He also mentioned that Harris has not actively engaged with the community during her campaign, except for one event organized by Vinod Khosla in support of President Joe Biden.
Mixed Reactions to Harris’s Candidacy
The response to Kamala Harris from the Indian American community has been mixed. According to Chatterjee, the community is emotional and sentimental, with some feeling that Harris is not favorable for US-India relations due to a lack of understanding of policy matters. “Unless you are involved in this, you don’t look at the bigger picture,” Chatterjee said. He emphasized that US-India relations are influenced by a broader set of factors beyond who occupies the White House.
Importance of US-India Relations Beyond the Election
Chatterjee pointed out that the US Senate and Congress have consistently supported US-India relations, playing a significant role regardless of the presidential administration. “I think US-India relations will continue to thrive, irrespective of who comes to power. A lot of people don’t understand that,” he added, suggesting that the trajectory of the relationship between the two countries is driven by long-term strategic interests.
Disclaimer: This article provides insights based on the observations of Swadesh Chatterjee regarding the sentiments of Indian American voters in the context of the November 5 election. The information reflects community perspectives and campaign efforts at the time of reporting. Readers are encouraged to consider multiple sources for a comprehensive view of the situation.
