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The California Report

Can Harris' Likely Nomination Translate To More South Asian Political Power?

Keith Mizuguchi
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Vice President Kamala Harris speaks from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Monday, July 22, 2024, during an event with NCAA college athletes. This is her first public appearance since President Joe Biden endorsed her to be the next presidential nominee of the Democratic Party. (Susan Walsh/AP Photo)

Here are the morning’s top stories on Wednesday, July 24, 2024…

  • Kamala Harris is the first woman and Black and Asian American to ever serve as vice president. And now, she’ll likely be the first person of South Asian descent to lead a major party’s presidential ticket. There’s a growing movement to increase South Asian representation at the local, state and federal level.
  • Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is throwing his hat into the 2026 gubernatorial race. He joins an already crowded field of Democrats including Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, former state controller Betty Yee, state Senator Toni Atkins and state schools Superintendent Tony Thurmond.
  • A 15-year-old boy from Gaza, who lost both legs in a bombing earlier this year, is now in California to receive prosthetics and medical treatment. Ahmed Abu Obeida landed at San Francisco International Airport Tuesday.

South Asian Americans Seek More Representation At All Levels Of Government

Indian Americans are a powerful and crucially important force for progressive change. They’re the fastest-growing racial voting bloc in America. 

There’s a grassroots movement to empower South Asian American communities. One of the organizations doing so is Indian American Impact. “There’s been a huge surge in energy. I know for my fellow South Asians they can understand this, but my WhatsApp groups have been buzzing with excitement, volunteer excitement and energy, fundraising excitement and energy and just a renewed chance at something historic,” said the organization’s political director Taher Hasanali. “I think the vice president’s story resonates with so many South Asian immigrants.”

Hasanali said since the organization was founded in 2016, they’ve seen the number of South Asian elected officials grow exponentially.

A Second California Governor Try For Antonio Villaraigosa

Have you had enough speculation this week about who presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris might choose as her running mate? Can I interest you in some speculation about California’s next governor instead?

Sponsored

The crowded field expanded again on Tuesday when Antonio Villaraigosa, the Democratic former Los Angeles mayor who unsuccessfully sought the governorship in 2018, announced that he would make another run for the job in 2026.

Villaraigosa, a groundbreaking Latino politician who also served as Assembly speaker from 1998 to 2000, positioned himself as a more moderate alternative to future Gov. Gavin Newsom in the open 2018 primary, where he finished a distant third.

Injured Gaza Teen Lands In Bay Area For Treatment

A 15-year-old boy from Gaza landed at San Francisco International Airport on Tuesday for medical treatment.

Ahmed Abu Obeida lost both his legs in a bombing earlier this year. He’s in California to receive prosthetics and medical treatment. The treatment and travel expenses will be funded by the non-profit HEAL Palestine.

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