In Tight Georgia Battle, Asian Americans Could Decide the Vote
With candidates in a virtual tie, Biden campaigned this week in the traditional GOP stronghold
Asian Americans account for 12% of the population in Gwinnett County, Georgia, which is home to one of the largest Hindu temples outside of India.
Photo: Anita Sharpe
When Joe Biden popped up in Warm Springs, Georgia, Tuesday afternoon to stump for votes, it underscored just how up for grabs the long-time Republican state has become this presidential election. And if Biden manages to become the first Democratic candidate to turn Georgia blue in 28 years, Asian Americans will likely play a decisive role in that victory.
Their ranks have soared in counties surrounding Atlanta in recent years, attracted to jobs in tech, science and medicine. Now up to almost a quarter million registered voters — more than enough to tip a tight race — Asian Americans here lean heavily Democratic and are highly motivated by economic issues, like income inequality and the call for higher taxes on the rich, pollsters say.