Staff Reports
Conservative Asian American advocacy groups have voiced concerns that both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump may be overlooking the significant Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander voting bloc in the upcoming November election. These groups are urging both campaigns to engage with their communities to ensure their voices are heard.
According to the 2020 Census, the Asian American population has seen a substantial 81% increase from 2000 to 2019, making it one of the fastest-growing demographics in the country. Additionally, Asian American voter turnout increased by 47% in 2020 compared to 2016. Despite this growth, only half of Asian American voters were contacted by either Democrats or Republicans in the year before the 2022 midterm elections.
APIAVote policy and advocacy director Bob Sakaniwa emphasized the importance of voter engagement and reaching out to the community in their own language through trusted messengers. He highlighted a successful outreach effort by Rep. Tom Souzzi’s campaign in New York’s 3rd Congressional District as an example of effective engagement.
Terry Ao Minnis, vice president of census and voting programs for Asian Americans Advancing Justice, stressed the need for attention to Asian American issues within candidates’ campaigns and the availability of in-language voter materials. David Lee, a San Francisco State University political science professor, commented on the missed opportunity of neglecting the Asian American voting bloc in key swing states.
Both the Biden and Trump campaigns have expressed confidence in their Asian American outreach strategies. President Biden has participated in events aimed at the Asian American community and his campaign announced a significant investment in Asian American paid media. The Trump campaign pointed to a poll showing key issues for Asian American voters, such as inflation, the economy, and immigration, as areas where they believe the former President has shown strong support.
The Trump campaign senior adviser Steven Cheung emphasized President Trump’s advocacy for the AAPI community, stating that the 2024 campaign is positioned to build upon the successes of President Trump’s first term to secure a historic second term victory.
