Neha Dewan / provided

With the crucial US midterm elections just four months away, Indian American political observers are upbeat about the record number of community members participating in the 2026 election cycle.

“There’s been a lot of participation, with community members running for office in various races. The numbers have gone up since the last election cycle, and in 2026, the overall figure is over 300 across different categories—from school boards to the Senate,” Neha Dewan, a lawyer and the vice president of operations and general counsel at Indiaspora, a prominent nonprofit organization connecting global Indian diaspora leaders, said during a recent exclusive interview.

She finds it inspiring that many young Indian Americans are running for elections because they feel that they are not really being represented. “I have been talking to Indian American leadership even at the level of high school Democrats. And many of them are eager to be a part of the midterm election and contribute, even if they are not eligible to vote yet.”

Dewan—who was the founder and national director of South Asians for Biden during the 2020 presidential election and was appointed by Hillary Clinton to the National AAPI leadership council—notes that Indian American political participation surged during Kamala Harris's presidential campaign. She adds that while many Indian Americans previously supported Republicans and voted for Donald Trump, the current election cycle has seen a significant shift, driven by several government policies enacted over the past year.

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“We’ve seen narratives and dialogues coming from the MAGA movement which have not spared even people in the highest of positions. US second lady Usha Vance, FBI director Kash Patel and Republican nominee for Ohio Governor Vivek Ramaswamy have all been attacked because of their race. And this is cause for concern for all Indian Americans across the aisles,” said Dewan who served as the National Co-Chair for South Asians for Hillary in 2016. She also chaired the New York Chapter of South Asians for Obama and served on the steering committee for Lawyers for Obama (2012).

“We share an Indian American heritage, but when it comes to Democrats versus Republicans, our politics are very different. However, members of the community are being attacked or trolled for their identity—attacks that are much more pronounced now and coming to the forefront because so many of us hold highly visible positions,” Dewan says.

Yet, she doesn’t see a strong common ground emerging, as many Indian Americans prioritize political party loyalty over identity politics. Instead, she sees non-partisan organizations like Indiaspora, which refuse to take political sides, becoming vital platforms for the community. “We are committed to working on issues that affect the community. Our well-researched reports help counter the rising hate and racist sentiments against Indian Americans. We are helping shift the narrative by highlighting the positive impact our community has in America.”

The executive order by President Trump to eliminate birthright citizenship—which the US Supreme Court has since struck down—would have impacted Indian Americans across the political spectrum. Dewan, who has a deep track record of political and community leadership, notes that the order faced widespread opposition from both Republicans and Democrats within the community.

“Besides, a major common cause bringing Indian Americans together recently is their wallets,” Dewan says. “Many are more concerned about inflation and the stock market than political or social issues. It often comes down to rising gas and grocery prices—especially at Indian grocery stores—and the pushback on H-1B visas, given that many community-owned small businesses rely heavily on workers on these work permits.”

She also notes that recent shifts in US foreign policy toward India, which many perceive as detrimental, could influence how a segment of Indian Americans votes in November.

Further, Dewan observes that Indian Americans who were prominent fundraisers in previous US elections are moving beyond simple photo-ops with politicians. “They are putting their money where their mouth is because they want their dollars to drive real impact. And they are seeing results. There are now six Indian American members in the House of Representatives, which is incredibly encouraging.”

Discover more at New India Abroad.