The Indian-American community has grown to over 5 million and has a serious political and economic influence in the United States. With Kamala Harris and Donald Trump vying to have a bite of this vote share, let’s take a look at how the community has fared over the years.
Indian Americans first became politically active in 2004, with Bobby Jindal’s election to Congress. Back then, most Indian Americans backed Democrat John Kerry, though George W. Bush’s pro-India stance left a lasting impression.
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In 2008 and 2012, Indian Americans went all in for the first-ever black US President Barack Obama, with 84% voting Democrat. However, his successor Hilary Clinton failed to fill the big shoes and the community turned towards the opposition.
In 2016, 2 years after the election of Modi as the Indian Prime Minister, Donald Trump gained prominence in the US. His promises of tax cuts and his tough stance on Islamic terrorism at the time became a huge appeal for the Indian diaspora.
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By 2020, Trump had managed to win 28% of Indian-American votes, while Biden secured his position with Kamala Harris, whose Indian heritage appealed strongly to the demographic. The high 71% turnout at the last election showed the increasing enthusiasm for the US election within the community.
The Indian American votes are in the balance for 2024. While many lean toward Kamala Harris, Trump’s popularity has grown and he could chip at a portion of Democratic votes that might make or break the elections.
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