2024 US Election: While a recent poll shows a dramatic swing of Indian Americans towards Donald Trump, Kamala Harris is making a concerted effort to connect with Indian American voters by honoring her mother Shyama Gopalan.

Harris said in a post on X that her mother “came to the United States from India alone.” By reflecting on her mother’s journey and significant contributions as an immigrant, Harris aims to strengthen her connection to society and highlight shared values. This comes as a new survey on political attitudes of Indian Americans revealed that Indian Americans continue to support the Democratic Party in the 2024 US Presidential elections. Yet their loyalty to the party has diminished compared to the past.

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“My mother, Dr. Shyamala Gopalan Harris, came to the United States from India alone at the age of 19. Her courage and determination made me the person I am today,” Harris wrote in a post about X.

What is Harris’ connection to India?

Kamala Devi Harris was born in California to Tamil biologist Shyama Gopalan and Jamaican American professor Donald J. Harris. Following her parents’ divorce, she and her sister moved to various schools with their mother before settling on Howard University. He earned his bachelor’s degree at this historic, all-black college.

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Harris graduated with a degree in political science and economics and later earned a law degree and became a member of the bar in 1990. He began his career as an assistant district attorney in California the same year. He was elected as San Francisco district attorney in 2003 and later served two terms as California attorney general, winning elections in 2010 and 2014. In 2017, he became the junior US Senator from California and made history as the second African American. the first Southeast Asian woman to hold this position.

She ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 but dropped out to support Joe Biden, who ultimately selected her as Vice President.

What do Indian Americans think of Harris?

The survey found that 61 percent of registered Indian American voters plan to vote for Democrat Kamala Harris, while 32 percent plan to vote for Republican Donald Trump.

At least 47 percent of respondents to the Indian American Attitude Survey (IAAS) identify as Democrats. This rate is lower than 56 percent in 2020, the last time the survey was conducted. The survey revealed that while the rate of those who define themselves as Republicans remained constant at 21 percent, the rate of those who defined themselves as Independents increased to 26 percent.

A poll by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace found he is likely to receive fewer votes from the community than incumbent President Joe Biden did in 2020.

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Speaking to news agency ANI, Indian American politician Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said that the elections will be an extremely close competition. However, Krishnamoorthi said he thought Kamala would eventually ” prevail”.

“But as you know, we will be looking at 6-7 states very closely on election night. Some of these results may not fully emerge on election night. We will also have to be patient while the votes are counted,” he told ANI.

How is Trump pleasing Indian Americans?

Earlier on November 1, former US President Donald Trump promised to protect the interests of the United States. Hindu Americansit protects them from “the anti-religious agenda of the radical left.”

Trump also expressed his desire to increase partnerships with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he described as a “good friend”, in a bid to strengthen ties with India.

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Posting on X, Trump wrote: “We will also protect Hindu Americans against the anti-religious agenda of the radical left. We will fight for your freedom. “Under my administration, we will also strengthen our great partnership with India and my good friend Prime Minister Modi.”

The former President also condemned the violence against Hindus and other minority groups in Bangladesh following the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians and other minorities, who are being attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in complete chaos.”

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Trump also criticized President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, saying they ignored Hindus globally and in the United States. He said: “This would never have happened on my watch. Kamala and Joe ignored Hindus around the world and in America. From Israel to Ukraine to our Southern Border, they have been a disaster, but We Will Make America Strong Again and Bring Back Peace with Strength!”

For people like Ashok Baddi, a businessman and community leader, Vice President Kamala Harris’ Indo-African background did not affect their voting decisions this election cycle. In Detroit, Baddi explained why he chose to support Trump over Harris, saying, “He has never connected with the (Indian) community,” as reported by PTI. The report stated that Baddi expressed concerns about Harris’ possible impact on US-India relations and praised Trump for maintaining strong relations with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Additionally, Baddi noted that the rising costs of basic goods during the Biden-Harris administration significantly affected voting choice.

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Kamal Rahman, a Bangladeshi-American advisor to Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib, noted in his report that nearly 20% of Muslim Americans in Michigan shifted their support to Trump this election cycle. Ghalib, the first Arab-American and Muslim to hold the mayoral post, recently backed Trump. Rahman explained that this change in support was due to several factors, including economic concerns and Trump’s stance on LGBTQ issues. “I’m voting for Trump,” he said, even though he is affiliated with the Democratic Party.

What do Muslims think about Donald Trump?

In a strategic move to engage local communities, Donald Trump visited Detroit on Friday to court the Muslim and Arab population. This outreach effort underscores the importance of these demographics in the upcoming election as candidates vie for every possible vote in a tight race. Recognizing the critical nature of Michigan to his campaign, Trump plans to hold his final public rally in Grand Rapids on Monday, underscoring the urgency of building support in this key battleground state.

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Kamal Rahman, a Bangladeshi-American advisor to Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib, noted in his report that nearly 20% of Muslim Americans in Michigan shifted their support to Trump this election cycle. Ghalib, the first Arab-American and Muslim to hold the mayoral post, recently backed Trump. Rahman explained that this change in support was due to several factors, including economic concerns and Trump’s stance on LGBTQ issues. Although he is affiliated with the Democratic Party, he said “I’m voting for Trump”

(With input from institutions)