With sour economy, Republicans see opening with Asian American voters in midterm elections

• Republicans hope to win over AAPI voters with a focus on the economy, crime, and education.
• The fastest growing racial or ethnic group typically votes Democratic.

This week, the Republican National Committee opened its 37th minority outreach center in the country in Issaquah, Washington.

The target audience? Asian American voters who traditionally lean Democratic but who could also hold the key for a Republican victory in this suburban Seattle congressional district up for grabs this November.

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders make up about 7% of the population nationwide, but their presence in battleground areas like Washington state's 8th Congressional District makes them even more important during the midterm elections.