US midterm elections tomorrow: A great slate of Indian-American candidates in fray
They are three-term Congressman Ami Bera and three
first-timers, who are seeking their re-election: Ro Khanna from 17th
Congressional District of California, Raja Krishnamoorthi from eighth
Congressional District of Illinois and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal from
seventh Congressional District.
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All the four Indian-American lawmakers in the present House
of Representatives are expected to easily sail through on Tuesday’s midterm
polls. (Reuters)
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At a time when anti-immigrant sentiment is at its peak,
nearly 100 Indian-Americans are on the ballot for the midterm elections and
have emerged as strong contenders. While all eyes would be on the so-called
“Samosa Caucus” — the unofficial group of five Indian-Americans in the current
Congress — the emergence of such a large number of young Indian-Americans
reflects the growing desire of this small ethnic community comprising one per
cent of the US population. “It has been incredible to see the rise of
Indian-Americans in US politics,” Rich Verma, the former US ambassador to
India, told PTI.
All the four Indian-American lawmakers in the present House
of Representatives are expected to easily sail through on Tuesday’s midterm
polls.
They are three-term Congressman Ami Bera from the seventh
Congressional district of California and three first-timers, who are seeking
their re-election: Ro Khanna from 17th Congressional District of California,
Raja Krishnamoorthi from eighth Congressional District of Illinois and
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal from seventh Congressional District of Washington
State.
The four incumbents are joined by seven other Indian-Americans
on the ballot for House of Representatives. Successful entrepreneur Shiv
Ayyadurai is the sole Indian-American to be running for Senate. He has pitched
himself as an independent against the powerful Elizabeth Warren — a potential
Democratic presidential candidate — for the Senate seat in Massachusetts. But
they are not all. According to some unofficial estimates, more than 100
Indian-Americans are running for various elected offices across the country.
“This year, nearly 100 Indian-Americans ran for office in
all levels of government, including some who could flip House seats from red to
blue,” John Santos, spokesperson AAPI media of Democratic National Committee.
This election could be transformational — sending a number
of new members into the House of Representatives and state legislatures as
well, observed Verma, who has campaigned for several of the Indian-Americans
running for offices. “From Arizona to Texas, Ohio, Michigan and beyond – we
have a great slate of Indian-American candidates,” “I hope that our number (in
the Congress) increases,” Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi told PTI in an
interview.
Krishnamoorthi, who has raised more than USD 5 million,
according to latest figures of the Federal Election Commission, had coined the
term “Samosa Caucus” in the Congress. When Bera was elected for the Congress
for the first time six years ago, he had hoped that in a decade, the number of
Indian-Americans would be in double digit. If Desis for Progress is to be
believed, the community is moving in that direction. At least three of the
Indian-Americans are locked up in toss-up races – Tipirneni, Kulkarni and
Pureval. NBC News this week also listed out the three Indian-Americans as the
one who could make a difference in their races.
Verma feels the only way to give the Indian-American
candidates a chance to serve is to get out and vote. “The stakes are so high.
This is the most important election of my lifetime.” The former American
diplomat said he was disappointed and concerned at the “racist, anti-immigrant”
closing argument made by President Donald Trump and thinks this kind of
fearmongering should concern all Americans, but particularly immigrants them.
“We have to stand up and be heard at the ballot box so we
can stamp out the fear and hate, and prop up the terrific crop of candidates
who have shown the courage to run and who are running on a very positive,
inclusive and pro-growth agenda,” he said.
Krishnamoorthi echoed Verma, saying it all starts with
voters getting out and making sure that their voice is heard on the election
day. “I want to see a greater number (of Indian-Americans for elected office)
and I’d like to see them happen across the geographic landscape.” According to
Santos, these candidates have put districts in play that Trump won because they
are talking about the issues that matter to voters, like protecting access to
quality and affordable health care and investing in higher education.
“The DNC is proud to have the backs of Indian-American
candidates running up and down the ticket who are working hard to engage
diverse constituencies and expand participation of communities who often feel
ignored and left behind,” Santos added.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/world/us-midterm-elections-tomorrow-a-great-slate-of-indian-american-candidates-in-fray-5434271/