When it comes to electing an American of Indian descent to Congress, many people believe that this is beginning to become a reality in the 2020 election. According to a recent poll conducted by a research firm, two of the most talked-about contenders for the U.S. House of Representatives are Hiral Tipirneni and Sri Kulkarni.
Hiral Tipirneni is a first-generation immigrant and a physician residing in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District. She currently works for Banner-University Medical Center in Phoenix and is running for office for the first time. Tipirneni is running on a platform of economic opportunity and health care for all.
Sri Kulkarni is an Indian-American who has lived in the Houston area for over 25 years and is best known for his tenure as the foreign policy advisor to Congressman Al Green. Kulkarni has sought to use his foreign policy expertise to help shape the national discourse on foreign affairs and make sure the interests of the United States are better represented in policy discussions. He is also focusing his campaign on national security, immigration reform, and entrepreneurship.
Despite the buzz that has surrounded both Tipirneni and Kulkarni’s candidacies, neither has gained much traction among Indian American voters. The poll revealed that Tipirneni has a slightly higher level of support among Indian-Americans at 8.9%, while Kulkarni garnered only 3.8%.
These numbers are likely due to the fact that Tipirneni is running as a Democrat in a blue-leaning district, while Kulkarni is running as a Republican in a red-leaning district. Indian-Americans, like many other immigrant communities, typically lean towards the Democratic Party and may be less likely to support a Republican.
That being said, the election is still many months away, and there is still time for either Tipirneni or Kulkarni to gain more support among Indian-American voters. Both candidates have made strong efforts to reach out to their constituents and make sure that the Indian-American voice is heard in the upcoming election.
No matter the outcome, the very fact that Tipirneni and Kulkarni are vying for Congressional seats is a sign that Indian-Americans are actively engaging in the electoral process and seeking representation in Congress. It is sure to be an exciting race and will be one to watch as we head towards November 2020.