**Asian American Women Show Strong Support for Kamala Harris, Creating Historic Voter Gender Gap**

Sumati Thomas, a 42-year-old resident of Mississippi, has always held liberal views, but her personal experiences with fertility and reproductive healthcare have solidified her support for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming election. Thomas, who is both Black and Indian American, has decided to cast her vote for Harris, citing the necessity of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in her own journey to motherhood. "I had to use IVF to have my youngest, and the possibility that this option could be taken away from many families is really devastating," she said. "I am hopeful that a Harris presidency can work with Congress to re-establish Roe v. Wade."

Thomas represents a growing trend among Asian American women whose support for Harris has surged dramatically, leading to a historical gender gap in Asian American voter preferences. Prior to Harris joining the Democratic ticket, Asian American men and women supported President Joe Biden almost equally, with 46% and 47% respectively, according to a report by AAPI Data. However, after Harris became the vice-presidential nominee, support among Asian American women leaped to 72%, while support among Asian American men also increased, albeit to a lesser degree, reaching 59%.

This developing gender disparity is significant, as previous election cycles have shown minimal differences in political preferences between Asian American men and women. Karthick Ramakrishnan, the founder of AAPI Data, noted, "In prior years, gender has played a very small and insignificant role, but this year, it's playing a bigger role. We interpret this data as indicating that something about Harris resonates particularly with women."

These polling trends align with national observations, where Harris enjoys a 14-point lead in support from women compared to men, according to an NBC News poll. Ramakrishnan explained that such pronounced gender gaps are typical among white voters but rare among minority groups, making the current data unprecedented for the Asian community.

Several factors may contribute to this shift, particularly Harris' identity as a woman, which nearly half of the respondents in AAPI Data's report identified as important to them. Surprisingly, her identity as Indian or South Asian was less significant to these voters compared to her gender identity.

For Asian American women, reproductive rights and healthcare are vital issues driving their support for Harris. Varun Nikore, executive director of the AAPI Victory Alliance, emphasized, "AAPI women and South Asian women view abortion access as healthcare. They see this fundamental right being taken away and they don't like it." Thomas shares this view, highlighting the importance of accessible reproductive healthcare in her own life. Living in Mississippi, a state with a near-total abortion ban, increases her urgency to support Harris.

Thomas, who comes from a multiracial family, sees Harris as a beacon of representation and possibility for her children. "For my kids to have a president that looks like them is amazing," she said. This sense of representation extends beyond her immediate family to women within her community, who are increasingly energized by Harris' presence on the Democratic ticket.

According to Nikore, Harris' appeal lies in her ability to reflect the identities and aspirations of many Asian American women. "I think they see themselves in Kamala Harris," he stated, underscoring the unique connection that Harris has established with this demographic.