The number of Indian Americans in elected offices is not reflective of their growing population, US Vice President Kamala Harris has said, as she urged the members of the minority ethnic community to run in the elections increasingly.
Harris, 59, of both Indian and African descent, was speaking Wednesday at "Desis Decide" — the annual summit of Indian American Impact, a Democratic party think tank that supports and funds Indian American candidates running for elected offices across the country.
“Over the years, we've had so much more participation by Indian Americans in the electoral process running for office. But the numbers are still not reflective of the size of the growing population,” remarked Harris, the first Indian American, African American, and woman to hold the position of US vice president.
Presently, the US Congress boasts five elected Indian American members, including Dr. Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, and Shri Thanedar. Indian American Impact expects the number to double to 10 by 2024.
Indian American voters, as the second-largest immigrant community and growing rapidly in several states, could become decisive factors in races across the country, according to Impact. Harris praised the work of the group and said everyone has an obligation to continue improving the promise of America.
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, Harris, running mate to President Joe Biden, asked people to think about the future they want to see in the country and to do their part to make that future a reality by running for office. Addressing some of the challenges minority candidates may face, she said people are stronger together.
Using her own story of her family's immigration to America and work in the fight for civil rights, Harris shared personal stories, speaking to the values of justice and integrity she was raised with from her Indian background. She acknowledged her maternal grandfather's service in the Indian foreign service and encouraged those to stand up for what's right.
Deepak Raj, co-founder and treasurer of Indian American Impact, said Harris played a critical role in starting the organization and was a trailblazer as the first South Asian Indian American woman vice president. He called her a source of hope and inspiration to women, immigrants, and minorities seeking public office.
With rallying cries and occasional outbursts of resistance, Harris represented both how far America had come and how much further it had to go, a reminder that it's necessary to keep advocating and representing all communities.
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