Washington: Inflation was identified as the most important election issue by the largest group of Indian-Americans surveyed in a recent poll. The survey also showed that abortion and jobs/economy were the top issues for the next largest groups.
The 2024 Indian American Attitudes Survey, conducted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, found that 17 percent of respondents cited inflation and prices as their main concern. Abortion and reproductive rights, as well as jobs and the economy, were highlighted by 13 percent of respondents each.
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Partisan divide on economic concerns
The poll revealed a partisan divide in concerns. Among Republican respondents, 39 percent named the economy—covering both prices and jobs—as their top issue, compared to only 24 percent of Democrats. Meanwhile, abortion was a priority for 19 percent of Democrats but only 5 percent of Republicans.
This reflects the broader national sentiment, as former President Donald Trump and other Republicans have criticised Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democrats primarily on economic issues, particularly inflation, alongside immigration. Democrats have focused more on abortion and then on the economy.
The survey was conducted online by YouGov from September 18 to October 15, 2024, and included 714 Indian-American citizens. Respondents were asked to rank their most important election issues.
Other notable issues among respondents
Other issues mentioned included immigration (10 percent), healthcare (9 percent), climate change and the environment (8 percent), civil liberties (7 percent), crime (6 percent), taxes and government spending (5 percent), US-India relations (4 percent), education (4 percent), and national security (4 percent).
“There are more than 5.2 million people of Indian origin residing in the United States today,” said the survey report. “Indian-Americans are now the second-largest immigrant group in the United States and have emerged as an important political actor thanks to the community’s rapid demographic growth, the close margins in modern presidential elections, and the diaspora’s remarkable professional success.”
Agency
Published: 31 Oct 2024, 09:31 am IST
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