Political Heat Rises in Texas: Which Way Will South Asian Voters Lean?

A recent survey has highlighted the voting preferences of South Asian Americans in Texas ahead of the upcoming US midterm elections. The study, jointly conducted by the South Asian American Voter Empowerment of Texas Education Fund (SAAVETX EF) and the University of California, San Diego, found that 66 per cent of registered South Asian voters preferred Democratic candidate James Talarico over Republican candidate Ken Paxton in the US Senate race. Only 21 per cent expressed support for Paxton. In the gubernatorial contest, 63 per cent preferred Democratic candidate Gina Hinojosa, while 27 per cent backed incumbent Republican Governor Greg Abbott. The survey was based on responses from 1,000 South Asian adults living in Texas.

The survey also highlighted concerns about discrimination and political representation within the South Asian community. Around 58 per cent of respondents said they had experienced at least one form of hate in Texas during the previous year, including online harassment, threats of violence or damage to places of worship. Additionally, 64 per cent said they had frequently or sometimes heard South Asians or immigrants described as “outsiders” or “invaders”. The same percentage felt that elected representatives did not adequately understand their community’s concerns, while 54 per cent believed their community had little or no political influence. According to the report, these experiences and concerns are important factors shaping the community’s sense of belonging and civic participation.