Texas’ 22nd Congressional District has long been a safe Republican seat. But the race between incumbent Congressman Pete Olson and Democrat Sri Preston Kulkarni could be tight.
Fort Bend County makes up the bulk of the 22nd District. It’s one of the most diverse counties in the country. “Traditionally, we have been bluebirds living in a red nest, and now I say that we are bluebirds in a purple nest,” says Cynthia Ginyard, who chairs the Fort Bend County Democratic Party.
Kulkarni, who is of South Asian descent, is campaigning hard to get the county’s large Asian-American population to the polls.
But Olson isn’t taking any votes for granted. “Pete reaches out to everyone,” says Jason Walker, vice chair of the Fort Bend County Republican Party. “Pete is a person that is out there, reaches out to all voters.”
Asian-Americans make up nearly a fifth of the population in the district, enough potentially to swing a close contest.