THIS could be the first year Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders swing
THIS could be the first year Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders swing the race for the White House. They have reached tipping-point population levels in battleground states.
The same is true for close state elections, especially in Washington, where Asian Americans represent 7.5 percent of the state’s population. The race for governor between Rob McKenna and Jay Inslee could be a tight one decided by a small voting bloc.
Shrewd political candidates would reach out to this group nationally and locally. A relatively minor investment could pay large dividends.
Former adviser to George H.W. Bush Joe Watkins said, “Asian Americans like everyone else just want to be considered Americans, and when candidates reach out to them as such, as American voters, I think they’re thrilled by that.”
Asian Americans donated to political campaigns at the highest rate last election, at 13 percent, which equaled political giving from white donors. This was higher than donations from African Americans (8 percent) and Latino Americans (5 percent). Asian Americans so far this cycle have donated at 11 percent.