Over the past few years, Indian Americans have made significant strides in American politics, with community members achieving noteworthy positions in both major political parties. These positions include serving as members of Congress, governors, state legislators, Cabinet members, and senior White House staff.
Indian Representation in the American Politics in Contemporary Times
In 2013, Indian Americans were significantly underrepresented in politics, despite being one of the most significant immigrant communities in the US. However, the situation has changed dramatically over the last decade. In the current Congress, five Indian Americans are serving, and almost 50 are serving in state legislatures. Additionally, Kamala Harris, an Indian American, serves as vice president, and in 2023, an Indian American is set to run for president for the third consecutive time, with Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley announcing their intentions to run.
The increasing political power of Indian Americans is the result of various factors, including their considerable wealth and high levels of education. Advocacy organizations, such as the AAPI Victory Fund and Impact, have also played a crucial role in mobilizing and recruiting Indian American candidates.
The watershed moment for Indian Americans in politics occurred in 2016 when Bobby Jindal became the first American of Indian origin to run for president. That year, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna, and Pramila Jayapal were elected to Congress, boosting the number of Indian Americans in the House from one to four. Kamala Harris was also elected as the first Indian American senator that year.
It is worth noting that the growing representation of Indian Americans is not just in districts with a significant presence. However, Indian Americans have overwhelmingly been elected on the Democratic side, and almost all Indian American state legislators and all five members of Congress are Democrats.
Most Indian American voters are Democrats: According to a survey conducted by APIAVote, Asian Americans Advancing Justice and AAPI Data, 74% of Indian Americans voted for Joseph Biden in the 2020 presidential election, higher than any other Asian group.
Haley’s candidature could be a test case for whether embracing Indian immigrant history can also appeal to Republicans. Prior to Haley, the most notable Republican candidate of Indian origin was Jindal, who made a point of disclosing as little as he could about his ethnicity throughout his presidential campaign.
According to a 2020 poll, approximately 60% of Indian Americans said they would vote for any candidate of Indian origin “regardless of their party allegiance.”
Support for an easier immigration procedure, as well as opposition to xenophobia and nativism, according to politicians and experts, were key elements in Indian Americans’ political preferences.
The CEO of the North American Punjabi Trucking Association, Raman Dhillon, said his interest in Haley was heightened once he got to know that her family came from Punjab, the northern Indian state, the same as where his family and the majority of the truckers from the US and Canada comes from.
In an ironic twist, the growth in representation of which Haley is a member may make her ethnicity less appealing to those not convinced by her beliefs.
The increasing political power of Indian Americans reflects the community’s growing influence in American society and the country’s growing diversity. As one of the fastest-growing minority groups in the US, Indian Americans’ success in politics is a testament to their hard work, determination, and commitment to public service.
