Organization IMPACT helps Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders mobilize voters behind VP Kamala Harris

PENNSYLVANIA (WPVI) — Immediately after President Joe Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the top spot on the Democratic ticket, local groups immediately got to work.

Her campaign announced it had raised a record $81 million in just 24 hours as it sought to drum up support from Democratic delegates for the DNC in Chicago next month.

“There are millions of people in this country who have never seen someone who looks like them in office. When that happens, it will inspire millions of people to step up and run,” said Neil Makhija, Montgomery County Commissioner and DNC Delegate.

According to the White House, Harris is the first woman, the first Black American and the first South Asian American to be elected vice president.

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It’s no secret that Pennsylvania is a key swing state, where more than 330,000 Asian American and Pacific Islander voters are elected.

Makhija is the president of IMPACT, an organization that encourages Asian Americans to vote.

In 2020, the organization helped raise $15 million nationwide to support Harris’ candidacy.

He expects this number to increase this year.

As DNC delegates come to support her, Makhija says he will help her get the top spot.

“I plan to vote for her on the first ballot, which I can do, and it will be a historic moment. The work that remains now is for her to quickly get a majority of the delegates,” Makhija said.

He says that from now until the DNC next month, he and other Pennsylvania delegates will be holding talks with delegates from across the country to unite around Harris.