Republicans will be the ones who pay for Trump’s tariffs in the midterms

A new survey reveals a significant shift in the voting preferences of Indian-Americans ahead of the November midterms, with an overwhelming majority planning to support Democratic candidates. Conducted by AAPI Data, the survey found that 66% of Indian-Americans intend to vote for Democrats in House of Representatives elections, while 22% plan to back Republicans.

In Senate elections, 66% of Indian-Americans plan to vote for Democrats, compared to 18% for Republicans. This trend represents a concerning drop in support for President Trump and his Republican party, as Indian-Americans have shifted towards the Democrats during the 2024 presidential election. Although around 2 million Indian-Americans have remained loyal supporters of the Democratic party, a Carnegie Endowment survey conducted before the 2024 poll indicated that 32% of the community planned to back Trump.

Among Indian-American men, 40% expressed their intention to vote for Trump. The survey highlights economic issues such as the cost of living and inflation as top voter concerns, alongside healthcare, crime, and racism. War and foreign policy also emerged as critical issues, especially given the ongoing conflict with Iran. Despite facing significant unpopularity, Trump remains unpopular with Asian-American voters, with 70% viewing him unfavorably.

The survey's findings align with other polls, including a 2026 report by the Carnegie Endowment, which revealed that 71% of Indian-Americans disapproved of Trump's performance during his first year in office. Trump's signature economic policies, including tariffs, and his handling of immigration issues were among the policies they disagreed with.

While identification with the Democratic party among Indian-Americans has remained high at 46%, support for the Republican party has declined significantly from 52% in 2020 to 19% in 2026. The survey also revealed growing concerns about rising racism in the United States, particularly from far-right members of Trump's coalition.

Among those who did not identify as Republicans, 27% indicated that they do not support the party due to its intolerance towards minorities, a 10% point increase from 2024.