Indian American bodies endorse Kamala Harris for President

Leading Indian American community organizations as also all five Indian American lawmakers voiced support for Vice President Kamala Harris’ historic run for the White House hours after President Joe Biden bowed out of the race.

Endorsing Harris, Indian American Impact Fund, a leading political advocacy organization vowed to “launch the largest ever investment to propel the first Indian American to the presidency and boost South Asian turnout.”

“As one of Kamala Harris’s most vociferous supporters from the very beginning of her political career, Impact is thrilled to throw our support behind her candidacy for president,” stated Deepak Raj, co-founder and board chair of the Fund.

“Harris possesses an extraordinary ability to unite our nation at a time when the stakes have never been higher,” he stated. “We are ready to leverage our extensive network of resources to mobilize South Asian voters, confident that they will be instrumental in delivering the White House to Kamala Harris in November.”

Describing Biden’s presidency as “nothing short of transformational in uplifting the priorities of South Asian Americans and significantly improving the lives of millions of Americans,” Chintan Patel, Indian American Impact Fund’s Executive Director, stated, “We join him in throwing our unequivocal support behind Kamala Haris for President.”

“A history-making vice president, Harris is a tested and proven leader who has consistently demonstrated a strong, unwavering commitment to our community’s values,” he stated. “As one of the nation’s foremost leaders on reproductive and women’s rights to championing policies that have helped countless small business owners and entrepreneurs, Harris has shown she is eminently qualified on a range of policies and knows how to build diverse coalitions.”

READ: Biden bows out, endorses Kamala Harris for president (July 21, 2024)

“She is our best chance of safeguarding our democracy and fighting Donald Trump and his extreme MAGA agenda,” Patel added.

The AAPI Victory Alliance also thanked Biden for his tremendous service and unwavering commitment to the United States of America and AAPI communities.

Endorsing Harris to be the 2024 Democratic nominee for President, the Alliance board stated, “We are excited about the prospect of electing our first woman president who would also be the first AAPI, and Black woman President of the United States. Vice President Kamala Harris truly embodies the American dream that so many of our parents and communities hope for.

Emgage Action, a Muslim American organization supported Biden’s decision to step down as the 2024 nominee saying it recognized “the necessity for new leadership that can advance the best interest of voters and uphold our pluralistic democracy.”

“As we navigate this pivotal moment, Emgage Action remains clear-eyed about the critical importance of voting in November for President and down ballot races where elected officials have the most impact on our daily lives. Regardless of who the new presidential nominee will be, the Muslim American community and other minority communities both at home and abroad, will be impacted by the candidates elected into office. The stakes are too high for voters to sit out the election,” stated Wa’el Alzayat, CEO of Emgage Action.

Emgage Action is committed to putting the full weight of Muslim voters behind candidates across the country who have a track record of upholding civil rights, welcoming diversity, and protecting religious freedom, it stated.

Meanwhile, all five Indian American lawmakers — Pramila Jayapal, Shri Thanedar, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Ami Bera — all Democrats, hailed Biden’s presidency and endorsed Harris’ historic run for the White House.

Jayapal, the first Indian American woman member of the House of Representatives, posted on X, “Vice President @KamalaHarris just called me and I told her I am 1000% in for her to be our President! She has the smarts, the experience, the accomplishments and the agenda to lead us to victory in November. Let’s go!”

“Kamala Harris for President. Let’s beat Donald Trump and make history,” she wrote in another post.

Thanedar voicing support for “Kamala Harris as the next president of the United States,” posted on X, “Looking forward to Helping Kamala Harris win Michigan and defeat Donald Trump. She is a great progressive leader and someone I respect a lot.”

Khanna lauded Biden for putting the country ahead of self interest and endorsed Harris as the Democratic nominee. “Her trailblazing candidacy as the first African American woman and first Asian American will be a jolt of energy in our party. Our party can now run on a message of hope and a vision for the future,” he posted.

“President Biden’s policy achievements have already established his place as one of the most consequential presidents in American history,” Krishnamoorthi stated.”Through his decision today, Joe Biden has demonstrated the true and selfless nature of a life committed to putting the country, and his fellow Americans, first.”

“@POTUS is the most consequential and effective president of my lifetime,” posted Bera. “From passing historic investments in infrastructure to restoring American leadership on the world stage, I am proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish under his leadership.”