Florez, the Hispanic outreach and communications director for the Republican National Committee, emphasized the significance of the Latino vote in the upcoming 2024 election cycle. With Hispanics comprising about 19.1 percent of the U.S. population, both major parties are vying for their support to secure victory in the White House and Congress.
The Pew Research Center’s report projected that Latinos will make up 13 percent of eligible voters in 2024, up from 4 percent in 1996. While 61 percent of Latinos lean Democratic, the top concern for Latino voters remains the U.S. economy. Rising costs of living, including housing, food, and energy, are paramount issues for Hispanic voters.
Regarding key policy issues, Democrats are focusing on abortion access to energize their base, while Republicans are highlighting immigration concerns. The long-standing debate over immigration policy, particularly in border states, has sparked significant interest among Latino voters.
Religious beliefs also play a role in shaping Latino perspectives on issues like abortion, with Catholic dogma influencing older voters’ views. However, younger Latina women and their supporters are increasingly advocating for expanded abortion access based on economic and personal considerations.
As both parties strive to appeal to Latino voters, the 2024 election cycle is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for the Latino community’s political influence. During her discussions with voters, Bacs stated that abortion is not a top concern for Latino voters in Arizona, but Mr. Leal-Santillan disagreed, citing the Biden administration’s work on abortion access as a winning message for Democrats.
Both the Biden and Trump campaigns have heavily invested in Arizona and Nevada, making appearances and sending surrogates to campaign in those states. They have also launched specific campaigns targeting Latino voters.
The Biden campaign has allocated significant financial resources to open Latino voter outreach offices and run multimillion-dollar ad campaigns in English and Spanish. They launched their Latinos con Biden–Harris initiative in March.
President Biden visited Arizona and emphasized low unemployment rates for Latinos, efforts to help small businesses, and reduce gun violence. Former President Trump, he claimed, aims to undo the Biden administration’s work and reduce taxes on the wealthy.
Vice President Kamala Harris visited Tucson to criticize President Trump for Arizona’s temporary abortion ban. Ms. Biden also visited Arizona to speak at a community college commencement ceremony.
The Biden campaign launched a “seven-figure” advertising campaign pitching the president to Latino voters in battleground states with President Biden addressing economic issues facing American families.
The Latino Americans for Trump campaign highlights the Trump administration’s immigration policy and aims to convince voters they were financially better off under President Trump.
Mr. Mancera noted that some Latino men are drawn to former President Trump’s image of action and strength but acknowledged that some voters are turning away from this appeal.
Mr. Collazo recognized the presence of Republican voters within the Latino community, some of whom vote as a protest against perceived negligence by the Democratic Party.
In 2020, some Latino men may have supported Trump out of fear of extended COVID-era lockdowns. Collazo also highlighted the lack of direct outreach to Latinos from politicians, leading to unawareness of their actions and accomplishments.
Mr. Florez criticized the Democratic Party for taking Hispanic voters for granted and failing to perform door-to-door outreach or highlight accomplishments that Latinos care about.
Ms. Bacs believes many Latinos are swing voters open to persuasion and suggests that appealing to traditional Latino values is key for candidates on the right.
To win over Latinos, politicians must address economic, immigration, healthcare, and educational access issues. Republicans can attract Latino voters by showing respect, listening to their concerns, and sharing their aspirations.
Mr. Leal-Santillan announced that Somos Votantes and its super PAC, Somos PAC, will spend $57 million to support President Biden and other Democratic candidates in 2024, targeting Latino voters in several key states.
Both Ms. Bacs and Mr. Leal-Santillan emphasized the importance of providing solutions to economic problems for Latino voters and addressing issues like affordable healthcare, childcare, and job opportunities.
The independent candidacy of Mr. Kennedy poses a challenge for both Democrats and Republicans, as polling shows he is performing well with Hispanic voters compared to other demographics, potentially influencing election outcomes. In the 2020 election, candidate Biden narrowly secured victories in both Arizona and Nevada. Kennedy campaign press secretary Stefanie Spear shared with The Epoch Times that the campaign’s success with Latino voters is due to addressing issues that matter to them. She noted that the most dedicated supporters of the independent candidate are individuals earning less than $50,000 annually.
Spear emphasized that Kennedy’s appeal lies in being viewed as a fighter against corruption and advocating for redirecting America’s resources inward, particularly resonating with black and Latino voters who are aware of the existing corrupt system.
On the other hand, Mr. Florez showed disregard for the Kennedy campaign. Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has garnered significant Hispanic support, potentially influencing the upcoming election, according to polls.
Mr. Leal-Santillan expressed intentions to inform Latino voters about Mr. Kennedy’s alignment with former President Trump on certain issues like abortion and immigration if Kennedy makes it onto the ballot.
Mr. Mancera suggested that Kennedy’s appeal to Hispanic voters stems primarily from his name recognition and association with former President John F. Kennedy and former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, who are held in high esteem by older Latinos for their advocacy of civil rights during a time of widespread segregation in America.
Mr. Collazo highlighted that the Kennedy campaign is tapping into the frustration and disillusionment felt by Latinos towards American politics. Through a strong social media presence and regular appearances on popular podcasts, Kennedy is also connecting with younger Latino voters who may not follow traditional news sources.
The article concludes by noting that while there is significant polling support for Mr. Kennedy among Latino voters, the translation of this support into actual votes in the November election remains uncertain. Please rephrase the sentence.
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