Nevada’s Asian American Voters Show Shift Toward Trump, Raising Questions About Long-term Support
Voters line up to cast their ballots at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 5, 2024, in Las Vegas, behind a sign reading “Vote, Bumoto, Vote” — directions in English, Tagalog, and Spanish.
David Becker/Getty Images
hide caption
toggle caption
David Becker/Getty Images
Pauline Lee, whose parents immigrated to the United States as teenagers with limited resources, cherishes their journey toward successful careers in California. She is proud of their legal immigration status. Lee’s perspective on immigration influences her political views, as she sees illegal immigration as consuming resources intended for American citizens. “That’s a real problem,” said Lee, who is active in Republican politics in Nevada.
In the recent election, a significant number of Asian Americans in Nevada supported President Trump. According to exit polls, about 60% of Asian voters in the state favored Trump over Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. This marks a shift from four years prior when over 60% supported Joe Biden.
Trump’s policies in his initial 100 days, focusing on immigration and diversity initiatives, align with the views of some Asian American voters. Pauline Lee and her peers appreciate Trump’s stance against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. “I’m resentful as a parent that my kids have to do more than other kids to get into certain colleges,” Lee expressed.
Las Vegas City Councilwoman Francis Allen-Palenske echoed concerns over college admissions, advocating for merit-based decisions without ethnic disclosures. “True meritocracy, if there is such a thing,” she noted. Economic issues also play a role, as Allen-Palenske highlighted the impact of inflation and housing market changes on Asian American voters.
Historian James Zarsadiaz from the University of San Francisco observed that economic worries, particularly among working-class Asian Americans in Nevada, drive this political shift. Many work in hospitality and the gaming industry, feeling the economic pinch at grocery stores and gas stations.
Rachel Puaina, a local teacher, supports Trump’s economic strategies, including tariffs, despite market fluctuations. “Is this what you voted for? Yes, that’s what we voted for,” she stated. Puaina, whose family has Filipino roots, also backs Trump’s immigration policies and advocates for stricter citizenship regulations.
Schayden Gorai from Turning Point Action believes many Asian Americans in Las Vegas align with Trump’s views. “They went through the process themselves. And I think they just want to be treated fairly,” he remarked.
Despite these trends, some Asian Americans express anxiety over Trump’s policies, particularly concerning deportation and citizenship. May, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from the Philippines, voiced her concerns over potential deportation risks for family members.
While Nevada showcases a pronounced shift, Asian American voters nationwide moved toward Trump by approximately six points compared to 2020. However, sustaining this support remains uncertain. A recent poll by the Public Religion Research Institute revealed that only 40% of Asian Americans approve of Trump’s performance.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
