(Source)
Ahead of Election Day, both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are intensely competing for Asian American votes, recognizing the group’s growing influence in swing states. As the race for the White House heats up, their campaign teams are tailoring their outreach to a demographic likely to tip the balance.
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Send the news: The Asian American electorate is now about 15 million strong and highly concentrated in key states. With an expected increase in turnout, Asian Americans could exceed the margin of victory in battleground states like Arizona, Nevada and Wisconsin. Although the group traditionally leans Democratic, many voters prioritize issues of inflation and economic stability, leaving them open to the appeals of both parties. Since Biden’s withdrawal Harris has rallied support from Asian American groups that previously joined his campaign, but she faces the challenge of winning back voters who grew disillusioned with Biden’s declining popularity among the demographics. Despite her identity as the first South Asian and Black female presidential candidate, many Asian American voters remain focused on policy over heritage. “Yes, the community is excited about the possibility of electing a South Asian president, there is no doubt about that, but we are also looking at: what are its plans?” Chintan Patel, executive director of Indian American Impact, said States Newsroom. Still, Harris’ campaign appears to have been received favorably among Asian Americans, according to a September poll has a remarkable lead about Trump (66% to 28%).
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What the candidates do: Harris’ campaign has mobilized unprecedented resources for Asian American outreach, included customized advertising in multiple languages in states such as Nevada and Georgia, direct mailers and in-person events during cultural celebrations. A Harris campaign spokesperson highlighted their “historic” investments in paid media and dedicated outreach teams, with initiatives such as Billboards targeting Filipino Americans in Nevada and Hmong outreach in Wisconsin. Meanwhile, Trump has launched his own efforts, starring in an AAPI-focused one “United for Change” meeting in Nevada, where he emphasized public safety, economic growth and immigration. However, his continued use of offensive rhetoric – particularly the term “China virus” – has drawn sharp criticism within the community, especially as anti-Asian hate incidents peaked between the COVID-19 pandemic during his term. Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said this in a statement claimed the former president’s record on “diversity, equal opportunity and prosperity,” with criticism dismissed as “political games.”
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