Among registered South Asian voters surveyed, 66% said they preferred Democrat James Talarico over Republican Ken Paxton in the US Senate race.
South Asian voters in Texas are leaning towards Democratic candidates in key races ahead of the US midterm elections, with many reporting racist attacks and growing concerns over political rhetoric, a survey by the South Asian American Voter Empowerment of Texas Education Fund (SAAVETX EF) and the University of California San Diego has found.
Among registered South Asian voters surveyed, 66 per cent said they preferred Democrat James Talarico over Republican Ken Paxton in the US Senate race, while 21 per cent backed Paxton.
In the governor’s race, 63 per cent favoured Democrat Gina Hinojosa, compared with 27 per cent for incumbent Republican Greg Abbott.
Racist Attacks And Hostile Rhetoric
The survey found that 58 per cent of respondents had experienced at least one form of hate in Texas over the past year, including online harassment, threats of violence and damage to places of worship. The incidents were linked to their race, religion, nationality, accent or immigration background.
Around 64 per cent said they frequently or sometimes heard South Asians or immigrants described as “invaders” or “outsiders” over the past two years.
“Our community is tired of being treated as outsiders and used as political pawns. When elected officials and candidates fuel hostility, people feel less safe and less confident in the institutions meant to protect them,” Chanda Parbhoo, founder and executive director of SAAVETX EF, said.
Political Representation A Key Concern
The findings also pointed to a sense of political exclusion. About 64 per cent of respondents said elected officials did not fully understand their community’s concerns, while 54 per cent believed South Asians had little or no political power.
Tom K Wong, founding director of UC San Diego’s US Immigration Policy Centre, said the survey showed “a community confronting exclusion, but also highly civically engaged”. Some 78 per cent said they would be more likely to vote for candidates who spoke out against discrimination.