AUSTIN, Texas — Vice President Kamala Harris is not only the first Black woman nominated by a major party to run for president, she also could be the first person of South Asian descent to hold the nation’s highest office.

Her history-making candidacy could energize Asian American voters, which research shows is the fastest-growing voting block in Texas and the U.S.

What You Need To Know

  • Vice President Kamala Harris is not only the first Black woman nominated by a major party to run for president, she also could be the first person of South Asian descent to hold the nation’s highest office

  • With Harris' presidential campaign in full swing, many Asian Americans are not only thinking about what her historic candidacy means for them but also how their vote could influence the race

  • According to the Pew Research Center, Asian Americans make up the fastest-growing major racial or ethnic group in the U.S., and from 2000 to 2019, the Asian American population grew 81%

  • Some civic engagement groups believe candidates can do more to reach out and harness the growing political influence of this voting bloc

With Harris' presidential campaign in full swing, many Asian Americans are not only thinking about what her historic candidacy means for them but also how their vote could influence the race. Harris’ father was from Jamaica and her mother from India, an identity some groups in Texas think can boost enthusiasm among some voters.

“There is that level of representation that the Asian American community just has never seen before, and we have seen that bring a lot of new people who maybe historically haven’t been involved, actually into the political process,” said Lily Trieu, executive director of Asian Texans for Justice. “There definitely has been more excitement amongst new voters, but also amongst young Asian Americans.”

More than 24 million people of Asian descent live in the U.S. as of 2022, according to the U.S. Census. According to the Pew Research Center, Asian Americans make up the fastest-growing major racial or ethnic group in the U.S. From 2000 to 2019, the Asian American population grew 81%, and with that growth comes increasing political influence.

“It’s actually more in Georgia and Nevada, where some of these growing populations are booming, right? And as a result, because of growth, our community is actually transforming politics as we see it, especially at the presidential level, as well as, our numbers can make a difference at the Senate, as well, as congressional districts,” Christine Chen, co-founder and executive director of Asian Pacific Islander American Vote, told Spectrum News.

This year, about 15 million Asian Americans will be eligible to vote, which is up 15% from four years ago, according to the Pew Research Center.

“The community is growing, and they’re actually turning into U.S. citizens. We’re seeing that by working with local nonprofits who are trusted messengers in the community, we’re able to go ahead and get them to actually start doing voter registration and education in our communities,” Chen said.

A 2022 survey by the Asian Texans for Justice found that for political affiliation, 42% of Texas Asians and Pacific Islanders identified as Democrats and 30% identified as Republicans. It saw further variations when it came to gender and ethnic groups.

“This is a prime moment where there are so many AAPIs and South Asians and East Asians who are feeling really mobilized and who are feeling invested. This is the moment where candidates, political parties, advocacy groups, they need to do that, reach out. They need to have those conversations with the AAPI voter, not just to ask for their vote, but to ask them what they care about,” Trieu said.

That 2022 survey also found that a majority of Asian American voters did not feel their interests were well represented in government, indicating that both parties can do more to engage a growing voting bloc that can influence future elections.