Indian American conservative backs Democrat James Talarico in Texas Senate race

# Indian American Conservative Vasant Bhatt Backs Democrat James Talarico in Texas Senate Race

Vasant Bhatt, an Indian American who has described himself as a conservative and previously participated in Republican politics, has announced that he plans to vote for Democrat James Talarico in the upcoming Texas Senate election. Bhatt said his decision comes amid growing concerns about racism, xenophobia and hostility toward Indian Americans in the state.

In a statement shared on X, Bhatt expressed frustration over what he described as increasingly open attacks on his identity and the treatment of Indian Americans as outsiders despite their contributions to the country.

“As a second-generation Indian American, I am thoroughly disgusted by the xenophobia, racial resentment, and increasingly brazen attacks on my identity. My family has contributed to the American story through hard work, sacrifice, and an unwavering belief in the opportunities this nation promises. I am every bit as American as anyone else, and I will not tolerate being treated as a perpetual foreigner in the country I call home,” Bhatt said.

He also urged eligible Texans to participate in the election, emphasizing the importance of the choices voters will make about the state's future.

“I implore every eligible Texan to get out and vote. This election is about the kind of state and country we are prepared to defend—and the principles we refuse to surrender,” he added.

Bhatt's announcement comes ahead of the November general election, when Talarico is scheduled to face Republican Ken Paxton. Texas has not elected a Democrat to statewide office since 1994, making the contest part of a broader debate over the state's political direction and the role of independent and moderate voters.

Bhatt's decision is particularly notable given his previous involvement in Republican politics. He has been identified as a conservative on social media and has spoken publicly about the time and effort he devoted to the party.

“I spent years involved in Republican politics. I stuck my neck out for this party, bent over backwards defending it, worked on campaigns, and stood by people even when doing so wasn’t particularly easy. I genuinely believed in what I was doing. I wasn’t pretending to be a conservative, and I certainly wasn’t involved in Republican politics because I had nothing better to do with my time. I gave that movement a great deal of my energy because I believed there was a place for me in it,” Bhatt wrote in another post on X.

A separate social media post also identified Bhatt as a former intern for Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, further highlighting his previous connections to the party.

His shift comes amid heightened political debate over immigration, national identity and the treatment of ethnic minorities. Bhatt also drew attention to Republican politician Bo French, who faced criticism for comments about South Asian students celebrating a University of Texas football victory.

French, who had previously called for the deportation of 100 million immigrants, shared a photograph of South Asian students celebrating the Longhorns' victory. He claimed the image illustrated “how many Americans have been displaced by foreigners.”

In another post, French shared the same photograph and wrote, “I heard UT graduation this year looked like this. I didn’t believe it. The problem is now obviously far worse than anyone imagined.”

The comments attracted criticism from both Republicans and Democrats, placing French's remarks within a wider discussion about immigration, demographic change and the public treatment of South Asian Americans.

Bhatt's announcement highlights how concerns about identity and belonging can intersect with political affiliation. His decision to support Talarico, despite his years of involvement in Republican politics, reflects his stated opposition to rhetoric he considers xenophobic and hostile toward Indian Americans.

As Texas voters prepare for the November election, the contest is unfolding against a backdrop of debate over immigration, political polarization and the meaning of American identity. Bhatt's public statement adds an individual perspective to those discussions, underscoring his call for eligible Texans to vote and consider the principles they want their state and country to uphold.