This story first appeared in Power Shift, The Yappie's weekly newsletter on national AAPI power, politics, and influence. Subscribe for free here.
As one of the fastest-growing voter demographics, the AAPI vote is expected to play a major role in elections at all levels.
A prime example is the Texas Senate race, where Democratic candidate James Talarico is facing off against Republican state attorney general Ken Paxton.
- Asian Americans made up about 5% of voter turnout in the 2024 election, census data shows. They could be a deciding factor in whether Texas elects a Democrat to statewide office for the first time in three decades.
- With anti-South Asian hate building in recent weeks, Talarico has been trying to make late-game inroads with Asian Americans. His campaign launched an advertising push targeting the community in early October, The Dallas Morning News reports.
- Before a rally in Dallas-Fort Worth last week, he stopped at an Indian restaurant to try his hand at making masala dosa. The video went viral on Instagram.
Other races where AAPIs could be the margin of victory:
In New Jersey’s 7th congressional district, Democrats have heavily courted Asian Americans—the region’s largest racial minority group—in their bid to unseat GOP Rep. Tom Kean Jr.
- Democratic challenger Rebecca Bennett released ads targeting AAPI and Latino voters earlier this year, alongside the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s six-figure digital ad buy on her behalf.
In Alaska’s closely watched Senate election, Democrat Mary Peltola is campaigning to unseat GOP incumbent Dan Sullivan.
- The state is home to a rapidly increasing AAPI population dominated by Filipinos and Samoans, per AAPI Data.
In Michigan’s 10th congressional district, the rising cost of living has been front and center in debates between first-time candidates Republican Michael Bouchard Jr. and Democrat Christina Hines.
- AAPIs comprise nearly 9% of the district, which includes Detroit’s northern suburbs, according to census data.
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