Indian-American Women Support Kamala Harris in Historic US Election
Indian-American women show overwhelming support for Kamala Harris, a presidential candidate with Indian roots, despite a visible gender gap in the community.
In the upcoming US election, Indian-Americans are showing historic support for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Despite Harris enjoying the support of around 60% of Indian-Americans, there is a noticeable gender gap within the community. Indian-origin women are more supportive of Harris compared to men from the same community, indicating a complex voter demographic. Harris, whose mother immigrated from Tamil Nadu in India, holds popularity in power circles of New York and California, but faces challenges in other parts of the country.
In the Indian community, 51% of female respondents plan to vote for Harris, while 41% favor Trump. Among men, 45% intend to vote for Harris, while 49% support Trump, according to a survey. Another survey, the 2024 Indian-American Attitudes report, shows that Indian-American women back Harris in greater numbers than men in the community. Young Indian-American men with roots in India are increasingly leaning towards Trump, with 67% of Indian-American women intending to vote for Harris. This election has revealed a visible gender gap similar to the wider US voter demographic.
While Harris is a favorite among Indian-American women, younger men with Indian roots are showing increasing support for Trump. The election rhetoric has highlighted gendered language, with attacks on Harris's background and criticism of her policies. There are contrasting viewpoints within the Indian-American community regarding the candidates' positions on reproductive rights and gender issues, leading to diverse voting patterns.
The gender gap in voting extends beyond the Indian-American community to the wider US electorate, with men expressing concerns about changing gender dynamics and masculinity. Trump's messaging around defending traditional masculinity and protection of women collides with Harris's advocacy for reproductive rights and female autonomy. These contrasting narratives have widened the gender gap in the elections, making it a pivotal factor in determining the outcome.