The 2024 Elections are over, and financial disclosures for the calendar year 2024 reflect the outstanding fundraising capabilities of the four South-Asian candidates, especially the three first-time candidates. Per the annual financial filings, the four South-Asian candidates collectively raised over $1 Million, a notable figure that signals growing political engagement and economic influence among South-Asian communities.

The last election highlighted a significant surge in the fundraising capabilities of South-Asian candidates, with a strong showing from incumbent Judge Tina Talim. Raising over $374,000, including in-kind donations, Talim has emerged as a fundraising powerhouse, largely thanks to contributions from the legal community, underscoring her connections and support within that sector. This level of fundraising reflects not just the candidates’ appeal but also the increasing political mobilization and empowerment of South-Asian voters and donors. If the fundraising momentum continues, these candidates may have the financial strength to build broader support across various voter demographics in the 2026 election cycle.

• Incumbent Judge Tina Talim (first-time candidate for the Judicial position): In June 2024, Nevada State Republican Governor Joe Lombardo appointed Judge Talim to the Clark County District Court. Per the NV State laws, Talim had to run in a general election to complete the unfinished term of retiring Judge Adriana Escobar. With no previous background in the political campaign world, Talim’s fundraising haul, in a short period, totaling $375,000, including in-kind donations, is noteworthy. It demonstrates the backing of the legal community, who probably view her prosecutorial experience and values as aligned with their interests. Talim spent over $258,500 on campaign-related expenses, with significant expenditure totaling over $200,000 on her campaign consultant and advertising. Moving on to the 2026 elections, Talim is in a sound financial position, with nearly $110,000 in leftover campaign funds.
• NV State Assemblyman Rubin D’Silva (Incumbent from Assembly District 28): Facing no opponent, D’Silva raised over $137,000, primarily from local businesses, political PACs, and the Las Vegas Indian-American community. The diverse group of donors reflects strong support from established political networks and local influential groups. This is typical for incumbents with an established base in the political world. At the end of the last year, D’Silva has $121,000 for his 2026 campaign. Most of the campaign expenses were related to voter outreach efforts.

• Hanadi Nadeem (first-time candidate from Assembly District 34): Assemblywoman elected Pakistani-American Nadeem raised $173,300, including in-kind donations, from a range of first-time political donors. This indicates that she has managed to build a network of supporters new to contributing to politics, suggesting a grassroots or community-focused campaign strategy. Per the report, the Hanadi campaign spent over $161,000; Hanadi had a balance of $15,850 at the end of December 2024. By October 2024, it was clear Hanadi would be a sure winner. Late in the campaign, numerous powerful PACs donated over $60,000 to her campaign, a noteworthy fundraising effort by a first-time candidate.

• Sharifa Wahab (first-time candidate in Assembly District 35): First-time candidate Afghani-American Wahab raised an astonishing amount totaling over $362,000, but the majority of her contributions came from the powerful Democratic-leaning outfits and small donors across the country. The financial contribution analysis suggests that Wahab’s campaign had a national appeal, an online nationwide fundraising strategy, and a more progressive donor support base. In one of the most competitive Assembly races, Wahab failed in her attempt to win the election. Wahab is left with $103,520 as of December 2024. Wahab spent over $242,000 primarily on out-of-state campaign consultants. Donors unknown to Wahab from across the country suggest campaigns’ active engagement with Democratic Party operators to retain the previously held seat by Democrat Assemblywoman Michelle Gorelow.

These fundraising numbers offer a glimpse into the different strategies and networks each candidate tapped into. Talim’s astonishing fundraising success and donor profile reflect one segment of professionals maintaining good relationships with the judiciary. D’Silva’s decent fundraising efforts reflect his slight incumbent advantage and established political connections, while Nadeem and Wahab were more focused on grassroots and smaller contributions, with Wahab potentially leveraging national interest.

Among the community donors to the above candidates, successful, well-known lawyer Paul Padda led the donors, contributing over $11,500, including $10,000 to Judge Talim. At the national level, the long-time Indian-American political activist and community leader Dr. R.D. Prabhu donated over $60,000 to Democrats, mainly to candidates running for federal offices nationwide. None of the Republican candidates received any monetary contribution from Prabhu. Locally, South Asian candidates received $6,000 from Dr. Prabhu, with $5,000 to Ms. Hanadi Nadeem and $1,000 to Reuben D’Silva.