Dozens of prominent Greek-Americans, including household names from Hollywood, have recently signed a declaration of support for Kamala Harris in the Presidential election.
Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Alexander Payne, John Stamos, and Nia Vardalos have joined other Greek-Americans from sectors of society, including science, business, and education in advocating that Harris is the best choice for the community and America.
They came under the umbrella organization “Greeks for Democracy,” which advertised in the New York Times.
Greek-American values and Kamala Harris
James Filippatos, an attorney, was instrumental in convincing Greek-American leaders to join the campaign for Harris under the banner of Greeks for Democracy.
“There was a feeling that, as a community, we should raise our collective voice to support and advance democracy and its underlying values. And one of the main motivating factors is the fact that Greek-Americans do have this strong affinity to the history of democracy,” Filippatos told Greek Reporter.
He noted that every vote matters in this election, and so especially in the key battleground states, all of which have large Greek-American populations.
“The leaders of the[Greek-American] community have proposed a set of ideas that matters, that is worth listening to, and encourage people to want to be part of that story, which is our legacy, which is our heritage in this Greek-American community.”
The declaration says that the values of filoxenia (hospitality), filotimo (honor), eleftheria (freedom) and demokratia (democracy), central to Greek American identity, are reflected in Vice President Harris’s life and career. Filippatos was asked to explain:
“We see Vice President Harris as somebody who reflects hospitality, for example, in her approach to people, to elected politics, to bringing in people from different backgrounds, people from different generations, people from different identities.
“And of course, on the often difficult topic of immigration, she shows this value of America being a place of hospitality, historically. immigration policy needs to be humane in that regard.”
Philotimo, he added, refers to the sense of decency, of honor that is currently missing in the US. Democracy is on the line in this election.
“Each of these values is central to what the campaign and what Harris is about, and they’re also central to Greek American identity. And so you see this alignment, and it becomes a compelling story for our community,” Filippatos said.
He stressed that there is a whole new generation of Greek-Americans, who are not as immediately tied to Greece as a homeland and are now eligible to vote. “Telling that story feels very important about that legacy, about that heritage.”
Harris represents a new generation of leadership, he argues. “And there’s a new generation of leadership for the Greek community too, because the last big wave of, the last huge wave of Greek immigration was enough years ago now that we’re needing to start to think about who is leading, who are the leaders in that community. We need a new generation of leadership.”
“We feel is important for the upcoming generation, the future generation to raise our voice, to mark the moment for our community, and hopefully to make a difference in these very close elections,” Filippatos added.
Freedom, democracy, and opportunity hanging in the balance
One of the most ardent supporters of Kamala Harris’ election bid is Eleni Kounalakis, the Greek-American Lieutenant Governor of California.
“We believe our nation stands at a pivotal moment, with freedom, democracy, and opportunity for all hanging in the balance. The stakes are high, and we feel a responsibility to act and make our collective voice heard,” she said.
Referring to Harris she said that she is a “fighter for those who had nowhere else to turn and a passionate defender of women’s rights and the middle class.”
Kounalakis recently discussed the growing relationship between Kamala Harris and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis—a connection she helped initiate.
Kounalakis, facilitated their first meeting at the Munich Security Conference in 2022, persuading her close friend Harris to meet with Mitsotakis despite a demanding schedule. “I know that they already share a very close bond and a personal relationship that when she wins will carry forward in the bilateral relationship between Greece and the US,” she said in an interview.
Her father, Angelo Tsakopoulos is also a big name in the Greek American community. Before becoming a well-known philanthropist and political donor he worked as a field laborer and sold melons on the streets during his youth. He even worked as a waiter in the Governor’s Mansion at one point. All this was before transforming his real estate business into a development empire.
“Greek Americans, with our deep connection to the birthplace of democracy, understand the profound importance of preserving democratic values and freedoms. We believe that supporting Kamala Harris is crucial to ensuring these principles continue to guide our country’s future,” Tsakopoulos said.
Harris to begin to address the economic inequities
Greek-American entrepreneur and Democratic Party donor Dennis Mehiel told Greek Reporter that he is optimistic about the November election outcome.
Mehiel, a personal friend of Joe Biden, was among 20 or so people that the American President listened to after the disappointing debate with Donald Trump.
“As a community deeply rooted in democracy and its essential values, we know that our collective voice and support for Kamala Harris matter in preserving the ideals that define America — freedom, decency, and compassion,” Mehiel said.
He acknowledged that there are issues that are hurting Harris’ campaign. He mentioned inflation and immigration. “The rise of inflation has stopped, but prices do not go down. The activity at the border is an issue that the Republicans can use pretty effectively.” Despite this, he says his instinct is that Trump is going to go down hard.
“I think I’m looking for a 10 million vote plurality. My view is that Kamala will have a better margin than Biden. I’m looking for her to have more than 50 percent of the popular vote. And we haven’t seen that from any candidate in the past three or four elections. My gut is we’re on a path to victory,” Mehiel says.
The Greek-American philanthropist and entrepreneur says he expects Harris to “begin to address the economic inequities that have caused a big portion of our population to support a guy like Trump. A huge block of Americans are frustrated, and they don’t believe that what we call the American dream.”
He conceded speaking to Greek Reporter that it would be an uphill battle to convince Greek-Americans to vote for Harris. “Seventy percent of Greek-Americans have traditionally been voting for the Republicans. We hope, that the younger generation will distinguish between the Republican Party and Donald Trump,” he said.
“How they justify voting for Trump, okay, as opposed to George Bush or, Ronald Reagan,” he ponders.
“It makes no sense because Trump has clearly articulated a plan to eviscerate the Constitution of the US. And he’s got a bunch of judges who seem to be willing to back him up, so he’s dangerous.
“But at the end of the day, let’s put it this way. If 20 or 30 percent of traditionally Republican voters don’t go with Trump, we win big,” Mehiel notes.
The strength and diversity of Greek-Americans
Dina Titus, a Greek-American Member of Congress in Nevada says that she supports Harris because “as a daughter of immigrants, she will build a country where everyone can succeed, regardless of their background.”
Titus emphasized that “the stakes couldn’t be higher.” As she said, “This election is about whether we move forward or fall behind, whether we protect our democracy or risk moving towards authoritarianism. So, we need to lead and we can do that with a Democratic president.”
“While Kamala Harris will undoubtedly bring her perspective and approach, I expect a continuation of the Biden administration’s commitment to our key alliances, such as with Greece, and to partnerships throughout Europe,” Titus remarked. “We must remain leaders in promoting democracy worldwide and resist any temptation to retreat.”
Maria Allwin, a philanthropist and devout Orthodox Christian with family roots in Imvros, the birthplace Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew said: “We are proud of our Hellenic heritage, which champions democracy, freedom, and strong families and communities. Kamala Harris has demonstrated her commitment to upholding these essential values, ensuring they remain at the core of our nation.”
Allwin, a graduate of Hunter College who worked at Morgan Stanley early in her career, has become active in the nonprofit arena serving on the Dartmouth College and Bucknell University Parents Board, the Committee for Education and Technology at the Museum of Modern Art, and is a volunteer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Finally, Michael Dukakis, former Governor of Massachusetts who was the Democratic Party’s nominee for president in 1988, noted: “Our Greek American heritage instills in us the values of democracy, freedom, and opportunity for everyone. Kamala Harris embodies these ideals, making her the leader to preserve the core of our community and country.”
