Given the likelihood of a Joe Biden-versus-Donald Trump rematch in the upcoming US presidential elections in 2024, Indian-Americans—who make up slightly more than 1% of the country’s total population but less than 1% of registered voters—will once again be in the spotlight thanks to their increasing political, social, and economic clout.
Indian-Americans are concentrated in places like New York, New Jersey, California, and Texas, but they have started to matter more in states that are hotly fought. Their votes might be crucial in states that are swing states, including Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
Indian-Americans have generally supported the Democratic Party more than the Republicans, but as in the previous elections, both parties will stop at nothing to win over this group, which may be vital for campaigning, supporting candidates, and collecting money for the elections.
According to media sources, Biden is assembling a fresh generation of diverse leadership for his 2024 campaign in addition to seasoned advisers who supported his election to the White House in 2020.
Both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will get the support of South Asians for America (SAFA), a grassroots group devoted to educating, advocating for, and mobilising the South Asian community, in the 2024 election.
“By re-electing President Biden and Vice President Harris, we hope to continue strengthening our democracy at home, advance our democratic values, and continue strengthening our global alliances in an ever-changing global landscape,” said Neha Dewan, National Director of SAFA.
Indian-Americans are among Biden’s top donors, who have contributed at least $100,000 to his 2020 campaign.
Ajay Bhutoria, Frank Islam, Raj Shah, Ramesh Kapoor, Indian-American Impact, Indiaspora, and the AAPI (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders) Victory Fund are just a few notable Indian-American community groups and personalities on the list.
In the meanwhile, Trump has gained Indian followers with activities like ‘Howdy Modi’ and for his prior outspoken support and affection for India.
In order to gain support from these groups, he established four new alliances during his reelection campaign in 2020: “Indian Voices for Trump,” “Hindu Voices for Trump,” “Sikhs for Trump,” and “Muslim Voices for Trump.”
According to an RNC statement, Shalabh “Shalli” Kumar, a fervent Trump supporter, has been named the national head of a new Republican Hindu and Indian American alliance.
The two networks will support the indicted leader in his 2024 campaign in addition to establishing and organising Hindu and Indian American communities throughout the US. The formal response is still anticipated.
In addition to Chicago-based businessman Kumar, who was also the campaign’s financial sponsor and chair in 2016 and a devoted Trump supporter named Kash Patel, who joined the government in 2019, remains one of the president’s most important political advisors.
Roger Stone, a former adviser to Trump, praised Patel for his unwavering dedication by remarking that the former president gave Patel’s name to his dog, Kash, in “honour” of Patel.
According to ABC News, Patel has allegedly been touted in right-wing media as a prospective candidate for attorney general or CIA director since Trump officially declared his reelection candidature in November.
Patel, a former federal prosecutor and top intelligence officer, had said in a December interview, “If Trump’s back in, I’m back in.”
Other prominent Trump supporters include Rick Desai, Dr. Sampat Shivangi, Shridhar Chityala, Prem Parameswaran, Danny Gaekwad, who has raised money for all Republican presidential candidates since George W. Bush, and Sridhar Chityala, who serves on the advisory board of Indian Voice for Trump Coalition.