Staff Reports
As the election season heats up, a fresh NBC-Telemundo-CNBC poll reveals a seismic shift in support as former President Trump makes significant strides with Latino voters. In a stunning turn of events, Trump has reduced Vice President Kamala Harris’s lead to just 14 points among this critical demographic, marking a dramatic dip for the Democrats. After holding commanding leads of 39, 50, and 36 points in previous elections, their current standing with Latino voters is reminiscent of a team that just lost its star player in the final minutes of the game.
Currently, Harris garners 54% support among registered Latino voters, while Trump has surged to 40%. With a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points, the race is tightening, and some Democrats are beginning to grimace at the numbers—much like a kid watching their ice cream cone melt on a hot summer day. In 2016, only 19% of Latino voters proclaimed their allegiance to Trump, and now that figure has jumped more than double, showcasing his ability to engage this crucial voting bloc more effectively than ever before.
Latino support for Trump grows as crucial voting bloc worries over economy #news https://t.co/KUdQ94MM5p via @dcexaminer
— Filtered News (@filterednews) October 1, 2024
Mike Madrid, a seasoned operative within Republican circles, commented on this striking turnaround and hinted at a potential transformation in Latino voter dynamics. It seems the party is slowly coming to terms with the reality that Latinos, particularly those who are second or third generation, are increasingly aligning their views with typical American ideals. This notion of “American-ness” resonates deeply, especially for a demographic that has felt overlooked by the Democrats. No one wants to be the party that can’t connect with citizens just because they don’t speak both languages.
Democrats, however, are not ready to throw in the towel just yet. They continue to argue that poll numbers don’t tell the whole story. Some strategists believe that a substantial portion of Latino voters, particularly non-bilingual individuals, gets ignored in polls, skewing results toward Republicans. While they may be pulling at straws, they have certainly recognized that these voters care deeply about issues like the economy, with a staggering 85% considering it crucial in their electoral decision-making this year. Apparently, when it comes to wallets and jobs, they haven’t been persuaded by Harris’s charm offensive.
As the economy remains the overwhelming priority for Latino voters, Trump’s messaging closely aligns with their concerns, especially given rising inflation and the high cost of living. Unlike Harris supporters, who prioritize healthcare and gun policies, Trump’s audience is laser-focused on economic issues, violent crime, and immigration. It’s clear that the Trump campaign is keenly aware of these needs and is laser-focused on engaging these voters through various means, including their rebranding strategy which proudly declares “Latino Americans for Trump.” They aim to solidify the message that having Latino heritage does not preclude one from being an American.
Moreover, the latest polling indicates a notable preference among Latino men under 50 without college degrees for Trump over Harris. This demographic appears to be energized by the Republican outreach efforts, especially in battleground states like Florida and Texas, where the Republican message seems to resonate more than Harris’s plans that come across as more of a rehash of previous failed promises. With Hispanic voices like María Salazar and Tony Gonzales emerging as strong supporters for the GOP, the future of Latino support for Republicans may hold promising potential as the election approaches.
