A new national survey has revealed widespread disillusionment with Biden among Arab American voters. The survey, conducted jointly by the Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) and the Truth Project on May 17 and 18, found Biden’s support at a mere 7 percent.
This stark lack of support contrasts sharply with the pivotal role Arab and Muslim voters played in several key swing states during the 2020 election, where they overwhelmingly voted Democrat. After taking office in January 2021, Biden had initially unveiled “A Plan for Partnership” with the Arab-American community, aimed at strengthening ties with his administration.
However, according to the survey organizers, Biden’s unwavering backing of Israel, including approving over $40 billion in military aid amid allegations of genocide in Gaza that has claimed more than 35,000 Palestinian lives, has effectively erased that initial support and his edge over Trump in crucial swing states.
The survey, instead, found much higher support among Arab Americans for third-party candidates Dr. Jill Stein of the Green Party, who received 25 percent, and Dr. Cornel West, an African American candidate, who garnered 20 percent backing.
Notably absent from the survey was leading independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has expressed varying views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, from calling for peace and recognition of Palestine to rejecting accusations of genocide in Gaza.
In contrast to the ADC survey, five national polls released in March and April showed Kennedy with 13 percent support for his independent presidential bid, while Stein and West received only 3 percent each.
“As the presidential election approaches, it is evident that Arab-American and allied voters are supporting candidates that are listening to our concerns and demands,” ADC stated.
The survey found 19 percent of Arab Americans were “undecided,” and 3 percent said they would not vote in November.
ADC attributed the support for Stein and West to the two candidates running on an anti-Israel platform, noting Stein’s longstanding vocal support for Palestine and West’s recent adoption of a similar stance.
Arab, Muslim, and other voters have demonstrated significant opposition to Biden’s reelection in more than 30 state primaries, including five key swing states. This opposition has been led by the #AbandonBiden movement, which told Arab News it is considering hosting its own “Presidential Convention” in the autumn to galvanize Arab, Muslim, and “progressive” voters to consider alternatives to Biden.
The ADC/Truth Project survey reached out to 36,139 Arab Americans and “allied voters,” asking one question: “Who are you voting for in November?” Over two days, 2,196 (6 percent) responded, which ADC described as “a high level of enthusiasm” in the presidential election race.