Kannan Udayarajan vividly recalls the moment he chose to become politically active. It was four years ago when Republican Senator David Perdue mocked Kamala Harris’ name at a Donald Trump rally, eliciting laughter from the Middle Georgia crowd.
Udayarajan, 42, now the head of the Forsyth County Democratic Party, felt compelled to respond. “I noticed some people justifying that behavior, and I realized I needed to take a stand,” he said, having moved to the U.S. from India in 2007. “That was my catalyst for mobilizing my community and friends.”
His activism is evident in Forsyth County, located about 30 miles northeast of Atlanta, where the Asian American population has more than doubled over the past twenty years. These voters are crucial for Harris’ strategy against Trump. “In 2020, Biden won Georgia by just 11,780 votes, and Forsyth County contributed 16,000 new Democratic votes,” Udayarajan noted, highlighting significant demographic changes since then.
With voter registration deadlines approaching and early voting underway in some states, both the Trump and Harris campaigns are working to appeal to various demographic groups in this tightly contested election.
Asian American voters, the fastest-growing segment of the eligible electorate, are key in battleground states like Georgia and North Carolina. This diverse group encompasses individuals from over 20 national backgrounds, each bringing unique political perspectives.
“Our numbers might be small, but we can sway the outcome,” said James Woo from Asian Americans Advancing Justice, a nonpartisan organization focused on voter registration and participation. “Every single vote can make a difference.”
Georgia’s razor-thin election results underscore the importance of each vote. Woo pointed out that while many Asian Americans may not align strictly with one party, their backgrounds often influence their political choices. “The economy is a primary concern for many,” he said, noting that many in the community are small business owners.
Woo has observed the significant transformation of the Atlanta suburbs, where a single Asian supermarket has evolved into bustling malls and restaurants. This diversity in backgrounds leads to differing political views among communities, as evidenced by varying opinions among South Asians and East Asians.
National surveys indicate a Democratic lean among Asian American voters. A recent AAPI Data poll found that 66% of Asian American voters plan to support Harris, while 28% favor Trump.
With around 328,000 eligible Asian American voters in Georgia, this demographic could play a pivotal role in the election. Woo mentioned contrasting outreach efforts from the two parties, with the Democratic Party engaging more directly with Asian American communities compared to the Republicans.
The Republican Asian American community center, which opened in 2021, has since closed, leaving little visible effort from the Trump campaign to connect with these voters. In contrast, the Harris campaign has dedicated staff to engage this community and has leveraged Harris’ Indian American heritage in its messaging.
Although Forsyth County is traditionally Republican—Trump won by over 30 points in 2020—Democrats are actively fielding candidates, including Ashwin Ramaswami, who is running against a Republican senator indicted alongside Trump for election-related offenses. Ramaswami believes Harris’ candidacy will energize Asian American voters and shift political dynamics in the suburbs.
For the next month, Sonjui Kumar and her “South Asians for Harris” group are mobilizing to support the Democratic ticket in Georgia. “Our community may be small—just 4% of the state’s population—but in some areas, we have numbers that can truly impact the election,” Kumar said.
With an impending voter registration deadline and early voting on the horizon, Udayarajan balances his work in IT with his political efforts. “Forsyth County is crucial for Democrats,” he emphasized, reflecting on the community’s growing involvement in politics, particularly in light of the mocking remarks about Harris that initially inspired him. “That mispronunciation resonated deeply with many here, prompting increased community engagement.”