Harris’s candidacy continues to motivate and divide, but her run for president undoubtedly sparks important conversations within the South Asian community about representation, policy, and the future of American politics
Minnesota’s South Asian community is buzzing with enthusiasm over Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign. For many, Harris’s Indian heritage serves as a point of pride, inspiring first-time political volunteers like Sourav Bhunia, a resident of Shoreview, Minnesota, who immigrated to the U.S. in 1986. Bhunia feels that Harris’s background resonates with the Indian diaspora, especially as political attacks on her heritage bring attention to the diversity she represents.
Harris’s candidacy has become a major talking point within Minnesota’s Indian community, which numbers around 50,000. During IndiaFest at the state Capitol in August, many South Asian voters showed their support by engaging with campaign materials from Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, highlighting the issues of immigration and abortion rights as key areas of alignment with Harris’s policies.
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The South Asian diaspora in Minnesota, like much of the U.S., includes people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and beyond. According to Indian American Impact, an advocacy group based in Washington D.C., South Asians represent a significant voting bloc, with nearly 36,000 eligible voters in Minnesota alone. Nationally, 2.98 million South Asians are eligible to vote, making them a crucial demographic in swing states for the upcoming election.
Political organizers assert that Harris’s run is energizing South Asian voters nationwide. Her potential to become the first Indian American president is a source of excitement. Vishala Pamulaparthy and Madhu Annamraju, active members of the Minnesota Asian Indian Democratic Association, emphasize the importance of immigration policies, which remain a top concern for their community.
For some, Harris’s candidacy reflects a shared experience. Anjuli Cameron, executive director of SEWA-AIFW, a nonprofit supporting South Asian families, draws inspiration from her family’s political history, as her grandfather was a freedom fighter during India’s independence. Cameron is eager to volunteer for Harris’s campaign, noting that her policies on abortion, gun control, and immigration resonate with many in the South Asian community.
While many South Asian voters support Harris, others remain undecided or disillusioned. Pakistani American Asma Zubair expressed disappointment over U.S. policies toward the Israel-Hamas conflict, stating her reluctance to vote for Harris despite previously supporting President Joe Biden.
(This story first appeared in Sahan Journal, a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to covering Minnesota’s immigrants and communities of color.)