DNC co-chair Shasti Conrad has raised serious concerns about the Democratic Party’s lack of focus on Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) voters, warning that this could undermine the party’s prospects in the upcoming New Jersey gubernatorial election. She highlighted that AAPI voters, who form a significant portion of the state’s population and are the fastest-growing demographic, have seen a decline in support for Democrats between 2020 and 2024.
Conrad emphasized that the Republican Party has increasingly prioritized outreach to this community, including backing Asian candidates and hosting cultural events where AAPI voters are engaged. She noted that the GOP’s efforts have paid off, with Trump improving his margins with this group compared to 2020, despite the presence of anti-Asian rhetoric from some Republican leaders. Conrad called on Democrats to meet AAPI voters in their own communities, whether at temples, churches, or businesses, and to address their concerns, which include the economy, immigration, and H-1B visas.
The Democratic nominee for governor, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, has made efforts to connect with AAPI voters, including participating in cultural events and launching multilingual outreach initiatives. However, the DNC leader stressed that more needs to be done to ensure the party’s engagement with this growing demographic, as their support could make or break the outcome in key swing states like New Jersey.