Kamala Harris’ plunge in the 2020 US presidential race has thrilled the Indian-American community which considers the first Indian-origin Senator’s “groundbreaking” announcement a “proud moment” and a reflection that Indian-Americans have finally arrived at the centre stage of US politics.
Harris, 54, officially launched her campaign for the US presidential election in 2020 to take on President Donald Trump on Monday, saying she was “honoured” to announce her bid on a day when Americans celebrated Martin Luther King Jr who sought inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi.
A rising party star and vocal critic of President Trump, Harris, who is quite often described as the female Barack Obama in the Democratic party is the fourth Democrat to join the battle for the party’s nomination in the next year’s election.
While it’s too early to say on the results of the grilling presidential primary that would conclude with the Democratic National Convention in July 2020, the Indian-American community leaders said Harris – who is of mixed parental heritage from India and the Caribbean – has a fair and clear shot at the White House.
“It’s a proud moment for the Indian-American community to see one of our own announce to run for the president,” eminent philanthropist and venture capitalist M R Rangaswami, founder of Indiaspora, told PTI.
Indian-American Impact Fund, a political action committee that supports Indian-Americans candidates, said it was “thrilled” by Senator Harris’ “groundbreaking” announcement.
“As the first viable Indian-American candidate for President of the United States, she is a trailblazer for our community and a champion for our values.
We applaud her decision and look forward to supporting her enthusiastically in the days and months ahead,” it said.
Harris would create history by becoming the first woman to be elected as the US President if she wins the 2020 presidential race against Trump.