As early voting begins in Texas, new Rice University research is shedding light on why some members of one of Houston’s fastest-growing populations say they remain underrepresented in local politics.
Houston’s Asian population grew from roughly 2% of the area’s population in 1980 to 10% by 2023. Yet many Asian Americans interviewed for the study said that growing presence has not translated into comparable political influence or representation.
The research suggests the gap is about more than political interest. Participants pointed to language barriers, unfamiliarity with U.S. political processes, experiences with political systems outside the United States and competing priorities as factors that can make political participation more difficult.
“Asian residents see their contributions to Houston’s economic and cultural environment but often feel left out of its political environment,” said Dylan Simburger, research analyst at the Kinder Institute for Urban Research’s Houston Population Research Center and lead researcher on the report.
The study found that concerns about representation were not simply wanting to see more Asian Americans in elected office. Participants described wanting to be better represented by all elected officials as a way for their communities to have a greater voice in local government and for their concerns and priorities to be considered by policymakers.
While the study found that residents typically felt like they have not historically had much political representation, they also pointed out signs of change. Some participants noted more Asian Americans are running for office and becoming visible in local politics, particularly in communities such as Sugar Land. Others expressed optimism that younger generations will become more politically engaged and play a larger role in the region’s political life.
The findings are part of the Houston Population Research Center’s Asian American Community Study. Simburger worked alongside Kishan Bhakta to analyze data from 55 in-depth interviews for this study.
The researchers conclude that increasing political engagement may depend in part on making political processes more accessible and connected to residents’ everyday lives. That includes helping residents better understand how to participate and making political information available in Asian languages.
The Asian American Community Study is a multiyear, multilingual effort combining survey data and community interviews to better understand the experiences of Asian residents across the Houston area.