Trump and Harris Compete for Latino Vote in Southwestern States

In the final days before Election Day, Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are intensifying their campaigns to secure the Latino vote, which constitutes 14.7% of eligible voters. Trump emphasizes issues like immigration and the economy, while Harris counters with an inclusive economic message. Both face challenges, including shifting Latino voting trends and incidents that may affect their support within this demographic.

In the lead up to Election Day, Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris intensified their campaign efforts across the southwestern United States, vying for the crucial Latino vote. Recent statistics from the Pew Research Center indicate that Latino voters represent approximately 14.7% of all eligible voters in the current election cycle. Among the southwestern states, New Mexico stands out as the state with the highest Latino population, comprising roughly 45% of its residents. Other states with significant Latino populations include California, Texas, Arizona, and Nevada. While California is typically a Democratic stronghold and Texas leans Republican, Arizona and Nevada emerge as critical battlegrounds, where Vice President Harris conducted her rallies. Historically, the Democratic Party has had an advantage among Latino voters; nevertheless, recent trends reveal a weakening of this hold over the past four presidential election cycles. A national poll conducted by NBC News, Telemundo, and CNBC in September highlighted that this decline is particularly notable among Latino men, driven largely by economic concerns such as inflation and the rising cost of living—issues on which many voters express more confidence in Trump than in Harris. During a rally in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Trump remarked, “So I’m here for one simple reason. I like you very much, and it’s good for my credentials with the Hispanic or Latino community,” emphasizing his desire to connect with Latino constituents. Despite New Mexico’s Democratic lean—evident from President Joe Biden’s 10.8-point victory in 2020—Trump maintained that he could alter its political landscape, asserting, “We almost won it twice, and let me tell you, I believe we won it twice.” Furthermore, Trump criticized the state’s border challenges, stating, “One of the biggest reasons we will win this state is that you have among the worst border problems of any state in America, and I am the only one that knows how to fix it.” However, Trump’s campaign encountered criticism following derogatory remarks made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe about Latinos at a rally, comments that they hastily condemned. Nevertheless, the former President has not issued a personal apology, and the incident may jeopardize his appeal among Latino voters. Despite Trump’s focus on immigration and border security, recent polling indicates that these issues are not the foremost concerns for Latino voters compared to inflation, employment, and democracy, with many Latinos believing that immigration benefits the nation more than it detracts. In parallel, Vice President Harris campaigned vigorously in Phoenix, Arizona, and Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada, promoting an economic agenda and positioning her appeal against Trump’s immigration stance. Speaking in Phoenix, she stated, “With five days left in this campaign, my opponent is also making his closing argument to America. It is an argument full of hate and division. He insults Latinos, scapegoats immigrants…” She further cautioned that Trump would likely reinstate family separation policies on a broader scale if elected. To bolster her image, Harris featured Latino artists like Jennifer Lopez at her rallies, with Lopez emphasizing that Trump’s comments offended not only Puerto Ricans but all Latinos in America. As the election looms, both campaigns are ramping up outreach to Latino voters, with Trump hosting events with Latino business leaders while a pre-taped interview with Harris aired on Telemundo.

As the election approaches, the Latino vote has become increasingly pivotal, particularly in Southwestern states where demographic trends favor this segment of the electorate. With significant shifts in voting patterns observed in recent elections, both major candidates are cognizant of the importance of engaging Latino voters effectively. The ongoing economic challenges affecting the national landscape play a central role in voter sentiment, influencing perceptions of both candidates.

In summary, as the candidates strive to secure the Latino vote just days before the election, their contrasting approaches underscore the complexities of this demographic. Trump’s campaign focuses on immigration and fiscal issues, while Harris seeks to counter these narratives by emphasizing inclusion and economic empowerment. The evolving political dynamics suggest that both candidates must work diligently to gain the trust and support of Latino voters, whose influence is crucial in decisive battleground states.

Original Source: www.cnbc.com