61% of Indian Americans back Harris, 31% support Trump
Survey shows growing support for Trump among Indian Americans, especially young men
A recent survey reveals that 61% of Indian Americans plan to vote for Kamala Harris, while 31% support Donald Trump in the ongoing US presidential election, which concludes on November 5. Conducted by Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in collaboration with YouGov, the Indian-American Attitudes Survey (IAAS) 2024 was published on Monday. This survey indicates a decline in support for the Democratic candidate compared to 2020, when Joe Biden received 68% backing from the desi community. Trump’s support has grown from 22% to 31% over the same period.
The survey also notes a decrease in the number of Indian-Americans identifying as Democrats, dropping from 56% to 47%, and those who lean Democrat, from 66% to 57%. A significant shift is observed among Indian-American men under 40, with 48% supporting Trump and 44% backing Harris. This marks the first time young Indian men have shown such substantial support for a Republican candidate, challenging the assumption that older men are typically more conservative. Trump enjoys higher support among Indian Americans born in the US compared to naturalised citizens.
Abortion remains a key issue for Indian-American voters, trailing only economic concerns. Women voters overwhelmingly support Harris across all age groups, while men are divided, with older voters favouring Harris. There has also been a shift towards the Left within the community compared to four years ago.
🚨 US poll series part 9: Survey says 61% Indian Americans back Harris, 31% Trump. pic.twitter.com/U2s2utCuyp
— Global Newsfeed (@Globalnews1902) October 28, 2024
The IAAS survey, conducted by political scientists Devesh Kapur, Milan Vaishnav, and Sumitra Badrinathan, gathered responses from 714 Indian Americans between mid-September and mid-October. The 2020 survey by the same scholars was the first to examine a broad range of political and social attitudes among Indian-Americans. Currently, there are 5.2 million people of Indian descent in the US, with 2.6 million being US citizens. As the second-largest immigrant group in the country, Indian Americans have seen their population grow by 50% since 2010.
Indian Americans have become a crucial voting bloc, with 96% expected to vote. Their median annual income is $153,000, double the national average. Their political influence is significant, exemplified by Harris’s nomination, and they hold notable positions in business, academia, and medicine. They are also present in swing states where elections are closely contested.
Despite a growing conservative trend, the liberal inclination remains dominant within the community. Harris enjoys 61% support among Indian-Americans, second only to African-Americans (77%). Harris’s support surpasses the 58% Hispanic and 41% White support. More Indian-Americans now identify as Left-leaning (47% to 55%), while fewer identify as conservative (23% to 17%).
Gender and age analysis shows 67% of women support Harris, while 22% favour Trump. Among men, 53% back Harris, and 39% support Trump. Harris’s support is highest among those over 50, with 70% backing her, compared to 55-56% of those under 50. Among men under 40, 48% support Trump, while 44% favour Harris.
Education does not significantly influence political preferences among Indian-Americans. However, immigration status and birth do. Naturalised citizens overwhelmingly support Harris (67%), while the margin is narrower among US-born individuals (53% for Harris, 39% for Trump). Ethnic identity appears more significant for immigrants, while gender is a more notable factor among those born in the US.
Religiously, while Harris has majority support across groups, Trump garners more backing from Hindus (35%) compared to non-Hindus (27%). For Indian-Americans, economic concerns are the primary political issue, with inflation and job security being top concerns. Abortion, immigration, healthcare, climate, civil liberties, crime, taxes, and spending follow in importance. Only 4% consider US-India relations a top issue. Republicans prioritize the economy, while Democrats focus on abortion.
Charity preferences indicate a liberal orientation among Indian-Americans. They favour charities working on climate change, abortion rights, and Palestinian aid. Voters dislike the Republican stance on minorities, abortion, evangelism, and economic policies, while they are uneasy with Democrats’ positions on illegal immigration, economic policies, identity politics, and extreme Left influence.
The survey concludes that while Indian Americans remain largely Democratic, the Republican Party has made some gains, reflected in the increased support for Trump.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Deseret News discusses Indian American voters’ complex feelings towards Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, highlighting Harris’s Indian heritage as a significant factor in her appeal and potential influence on South Asian American voters.(read more)
- CNN reports that Indian Americans are fired up about Kamala Harris, driven by enthusiasm for democratic values and representation, despite economic concerns and historical voting patterns.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What percentage of Indian Americans support Kamala Harris in the 2024 election?
61% of Indian Americans support Kamala Harris.
Has Donald Trump’s support among Indian Americans increased since 2020?
Yes, Trump’s support has increased from 22% to 31%.
What is the primary political issue for Indian-American voters?
Economic concerns are the primary political issue for Indian-American voters.
How do Indian-American women voters tend to vote in the 2024 election?
Indian-American women overwhelmingly support Kamala Harris across all age groups.
What is the median annual income of Indian Americans in the US?
The median annual income of Indian Americans is $153,000.
