During the 2020 presidential election, Alexis Figueroa, a hospital worker in Phoenix, expressed his preference for Joseph R. Biden Jr. over Donald J. Trump because he viewed Biden as the less controversial candidate. However, with both Biden and Trump back on the ballot for the upcoming election, Figueroa is now considering a third option: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Figueroa, now 20 years old, stated that Kennedy is appealing to younger voters who feel their voices are not being heard. He mentioned that he was hesitant to vote for Biden due to his perceived lack of fulfillment of campaign promises. Recent surveys indicate that in a race where enthusiasm for the main candidates is low, more Latino voters like Figueroa are leaning towards third-party candidates. Kennedy, running as an independent presidential candidate, is gaining unexpected support among Hispanic voters in battleground states, although he is officially on the ballot in only six states.
Polls suggest that Kennedy is drawing support away from both the Trump and Biden campaigns, particularly posing a challenge to Biden among Latino voters. A significant portion of likely Latino voters are considering a third-party candidate, impacting Biden’s support compared to the 2020 election. In a hypothetical two-way matchup, Biden outperformed Trump, but his lead decreased when Kennedy and two other candidates were included in the contest.
The rise in support for Kennedy among Latino voters can be attributed to his name recognition and frustrations with the top two candidates. Young voters, like Figueroa and his girlfriend, are turning to Kennedy due to disappointment in the main candidates’ performance on key issues. The trend of Latino voters leaning towards third-party candidates is influenced by concerns over student debt, wages, and other policy areas.
As the election approaches, Kennedy is expected to attract a small percentage of the total vote, but his popularity could impact the outcome in swing states. Biden’s advantage lies in the fact that many Latinos are familiar with Kennedy’s name but not his platform, giving room for both Biden and Trump to define him in the coming months.
Despite the potential impact of Kennedy on the election, history shows that Latino Democrats tend to return to the main party candidates as the election nears. The Biden campaign remains confident that Latino voters understand the choice between Biden and Trump, emphasizing the clear contrast in visions for the country.
Kennedy’s outreach to Latinos has faced criticism, particularly for allegedly exploiting the legacy of Latino leaders like Cesar Chavez for political gain. The upcoming months, including debates and national conventions, will likely shape the dynamics of the election and how Latino voters perceive the candidates.
Ruth Igielnik contributed reporting.
