Despite their historically broad support for Democrats, some Indian Americans have been turning to the GOP — and running for office as Republicans.

Why it matters: The shift comes as the party's most prominent Indian American political candidate calls out bigotry within the party's ranks amid opposition to immigration from the Indian subcontinent.

The big picture: Indian Americans, who make up the largest portion of South Asians in the U.S., shifted toward President Trump in the last election, even as a majority supported Democrat Kamala Harris.

• Trump enjoyed a 5 percentage point increase among Asian American voters between 2020 and 2024, per exit polls.

Driving the news: Abraham George, a native of South India, announced last month he is running for reelection as Texas GOP chair.

• In Williamson County, the GOP primary ballot featured two candidates who studied in India — reflecting the growing South Asian community in the county — but they both lost.

Yes, but: Last year at a conservative conference organized by Turning Point USA, former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy warned about prejudice within the party.

• "The idea that a 'heritage American' is more American than another American is un-American at its core," he said.

What they're saying: "While I have seen bigotry ... it is not indicative of the sentiments of the people at large," Abhiram Garapati, who unsuccessfully ran for U.S. House as a Republican in a mostly rural district north of Austin, told Axios via email.

• George did not respond to an Axios interview request.

The population growth of Indian Americans has long-term political consequences.

• As of 2021, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated more than 450,000 Indian Americans in Texas — almost double from 2010.

Why it matters: 68% of Indian American registered voters identify as Democrats or lean Democratic, per a 2023 Pew Research Center survey.

• "Indian Americans are increasingly visible in national politics," Sara Sadhwani, an assistant professor of politics at Pomona College and a senior researcher at AAPI Data, observed last year.

Zoom in: While there are far fewer South Asian candidates in the Austin area than in greater Houston, they are running for and hold key positions here.

• Immigration attorney Pooja Sethi earlier this month won the Democratic nomination to represent Texas House District 47, in western Travis County.
• Austin City Council Member Zohaib "Zo" Qadri, who represents Central Austin and parts of South Austin, is running for reelection this year.
• Longtime Austin ISD school board member and former president Arati Singh is the first Indian American to serve on the board.

What they're saying: Qadri, a Pakistani American and a Muslim, tells Axios "it's not lost on me what my representation means" for other South Asians — especially as top state elected officials designate some Muslim groups as foreign terrorist organizations.

The bottom line: There are "absolutely" more South Asians running for office as the community aims for political representation, Chanda Parbhoo, executive director of SAAVETX — a nonprofit that works to boost South Asian voter turnout and advocates for progressive policies — tells Axios.

• South Asians are a "very educated base of voters and we are up for grabs," she says.

🤖 Amazon-owned Zoox says it's testing driverless robotaxis in Austin starting this week. (Austin American-Statesman)

🚌 CapMetro will launch more frequent buses in parts of northeast and southeast Austin starting in early June. (KVUE)

🔥 A burn ban will remain in effect for unincorporated Travis County as dry conditions persist across the area. (Community Impact)

Reese's Peanut Butter Bunnies reign supreme in Texas and, well, almost everywhere around Easter.

How it works: DoorDash analyzed which Easter basket treats over-index by state, and Peanut Butter Bunnies are uniquely popular across the country.

We recently asked for your bluebonnet pictures — thanks to everyone who sent one in.

"Try to take some every year, as early as possible," Scott G. writes about his bluebonnet photo-snapping habit.

• This year's was on a Saturday bike ride (see above) by Capital of Texas Highway and MoPac Expressway.

Jeffery B. sent in a photo of this rare white bluebonnet — "so is it a whitebonnet?" he asks.

• He spotted this one in a southwest Austin drainage ditch, he reports.

Finally, we loved this throwback photo (and the backstory) from Stacy N. of her firstborn daughter, Abby, then 2 years old, in 2010.

• Stacy had brought along Abby's 3-month-old sister and was searching for a perfect picture — "I'm a Texan and despite not having the best postpartum recovery, we needed babies' first bluebonnet pictures!!!!"

Yes, but: "Abby was not having any of it."

• "She refused to stand anywhere I wanted her to for a picture. Wouldn't hold her baby sister even for a lollipop. I thought I scored when I found a perfect clearing where she wouldn't have to touch anything but the picture would still look cute. Nope. Here she is pleading her case. Tiny arms crossed and everything."