Dosas on the Texas Senate trail: Talarico courts Indian-American voters as a poll shows a 49–47 race

The US midterm elections are on November 3. In close races, candidates are visiting temples and joining Diwali events to reach Indian-American voters.

The Texas Senate race

• Democrat James Talarico made masala dosas with a chef's help at an Indian restaurant in Irving, a Dallas suburb, and served them on banana leaves.
• His opponent is Republican Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General since 2015. Libertarian Ted Brown is also on the ballot.
• A Texas Southern University poll released October 29 (2,000 likely voters): Talarico 49%, Paxton 47%, Brown 3%.
• American Community Survey estimates (2020–24) put the Indian-origin population of Texas at about 551,000, or 1.83% of the State. That includes children and non-citizens.

Elsewhere

Senator Cory Booker and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, who is seeking another term, joined Diwali events. Several leaders visited BAPS Swaminarayan and Akshardham temples. Early voting is already under way in some areas.

The Dallas and Houston areas are home to many Telugu families, which makes this race one to watch for them.