Kevin Thomas was in a meeting when he got the news: California Senator Kamala Harris was Joe Biden's pick for vice president. 

"I was so happy when I found out," the first-term Long Island lawmaker said in an interview on Wednesday. "I was in the middle of a meeting and I was just jumping up and down going yes! yes! It was just great."

What You Need To Know

  • The South Asian community in New York is a rapidly growing population in the state

  • Like previous generations of first and second-generation Americans, they are seeing their influence grow in American politics

  • Sen. Kevin Thomas is the first lawmaker of South Asian descent in the state Legislature

  • Democrats hope her selection will unite the party

Harris joining the national ticket is a history making moment. And it's a moment for those from immigrant families and first and second-generation Americans who see their influence rising in this country. 

Thomas is the first state lawmaker of South Asian descent to be elected in Albany. He's part of a rapidly growing population in the United States and in New York. 

Harris's mother was from India, her father from Jamaica. Thomas's family moved to the United States from Dubai. Like Harris he is of Indian descent. It's a community that, like previous generations of immigrants in this country, is seeing their influence grow in American politics. 

"Our perspective is evolving," Thomas said. "We want to do more for America. Not just raise a family, but make sure other families can survive and move up."

Thomas also sees himself as holding similar politics to Harris as part of the moderate wing of the party. 

"Whether you're a Democrat or a Republican right now and if you're coming from the Indian-American community this is great and for the Caribbean community this is also great," he said. "This is too cultures coming together and she knows the immigrant way."

Republicans meanwhile say Harris's campaign pledges of tax hikes and criminal justice reform measures will hurt Democratic chances this fall.

But will that be enough for Democrats who count a sizable progressive wing, some of whom may be skeptical of Harris's past record as a prosecutor? New York DNC Superdelegate Emily Giske says the pick has unified the party. 

"We're a big tent," Giske said. "Everybody's welcome. Come on in. We want your vote, we want to win in November."

Giske said having a woman on the ticket like Harris, only the third woman to seek the vice presidency in U.S. history, will help boost turnout among suburban women. 

"In 2018, women drove women drove the suburbs to taking the House back," Giske said. "I do think having Harris on the ticket with Biden, it just extends the enthusiasm from '18."