Why the Harris campaign has been aggressively courting Filipino Americans in Nevada

Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign has been courting a group of Asian American voters, Filipino Americans, that may play a decisive role in the swing state of Nevada.

“Pinoy Pride” slogans, meals with community members, in-language ads and recruiting Filipino Americans for the campaign. With just over a month before the election, Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign has been courting a group of Asian American voters, Filipino Americans, that may play a decisive role in the crucial swing state of Nevada.

Last week, the Democratic candidate’s campaign announced a blitz targeting the Filipino American community in Las Vegas, with ads highlighting Harris’ support for “Pinoy Pride.” It was the latest in the candidate’s continued efforts to connect with Filipino American voters in the state. 

While Asian Americans make up almost 12% of Nevada’s electorate, well over the previous margin of victory, Filipino Americans constitute by far the largest ethnic group in that demographic. And given the high stakes election, those connected with the campaign say the voting bloc shouldn’t be taken for granted. 

“In the Filipino community, you get one person, then they tell their whole family. People are filling out their voter cards, and they’re sharing it with all their cousins and their aunties on WhatsApp,” said Assemblywoman Erica Mosca, a Filipino American and senior adviser to the Harris campaign in Nevada. “When we’re motivated, we will vote.” 

The new ads also include some emblazoned with the Filipino greeting “Mabuhay!” which translates to “Long live!” They were placed at a celebration of Filipino heritage, the Pinoy Pride Festival, appearing atop taxis, at bus shelters and on billboards, a few days before the beginning of October’s Filipino American History Month. 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/kamala-harris-filipino-americans-nevada-rcna173444

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