US President Election: 3 Indians stake claim in US presidential election

As the 2024 US Presidential elections approach, the political landscape is witnessing an intriguing development with the emergence of Indian-American leaders in the race.

While President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are already seen as strong contenders, the names of Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley, and Harshvardhan Singh have also surfaced, as they aim to bring change and progress to America.

The Republican Party, which is gearing up for the nomination process, will hold its national convention in July next year in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where the party's next presidential candidate will be formally chosen.

Nikki Haley, a prominent Indian-origin Republican leader, brings an impressive political background to the table. Having served as the governor of South Carolina and the former US ambassador to the United Nations, Haley has garnered recognition as the third Indian-American to run for the US presidency in consecutive elections. Despite facing challenges in some surveys, her fundraising abilities have been notable. The Stand for America Fund Inc., a super PAC supporting her, has raised a staggering $18.7 million from April to June, with support from wealthy GOP donors.

Born to Sikh parents Ajit Singh Randhawa and Raj Kaur Randhawa, Haley's journey from Canada to the US in the 1960s has been remarkable. At the age of 39, she became the youngest governor in the US and made history as the first female governor of South Carolina. Serving two terms as the first Indian-American governor of the state, she went on to become the 29th US Ambassador to the United Nations from January 2017 to December 2018.

Vivek Ramaswamy, a healthcare and technology entrepreneur, has also announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election. Rising to prominence as an outsider in the Republican Party, Ramaswamy currently stands as the third most popular candidate, trailing behind Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, his roots trace back to Palakkad, Kerala, where his parents migrated from. With his wife Apoorva Tiwari working as an assistant professor and surgeon at The Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center, Ramaswamy has firmly anchored himself in the American community.

Ramaswamy's campaign is centered around the promise of reducing dependence on China for medicines. Having earned a staggering $7.7 million in the second quarter, including $5.4 million from his funds, he has already invested $16 million into his election campaign.

Aerospace engineer Harshvardhan Singh has added another Indian-American name to the mix. With a commitment to America First policies and a conservative approach, Singh aims to restore the Republican Party's conservative wing in New Jersey. Advocating against corruption in tech and pharma companies, he believes that America's freedom is under constant threat and calls for strong leadership to preserve American values.