In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Democrats have traditionally targeted Latino voters in states like Arizona, Nevada, New Jersey, and Florida by focusing on immigration. However, Donald Trump’s win in the 2024 presidential election and the shift to the right among Latino voters have prompted some liberals to rethink their approach.
Labor activist Patricia Campos-Medina, who recently advised U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill in the governor race, noted that while people care about immigration, they often base their vote on economic issues. As a result, liberal strategists and politicians are advocating for a shift towards emphasizing the economy over immigration in the upcoming elections.
Last year, Trump made gains among Latino voters in areas like eastern Pennsylvania and South Texas, as well as along Florida’s Interstate 4 corridor, by focusing on the economy and border security. Some Democratic operatives are urging their party not to treat Latino voters as a monolithic group and to address their diverse economic concerns.
According to a survey of the 2024 electorate, economic worries, particularly inflation and housing costs, were key issues for Latino voters. Many felt that Democrats had focused too much on identity politics and not enough on bread-and-butter economic issues.
Democratic strategist Chuck Rocha emphasized the importance of affordability to Latino voters and criticized the party for not addressing this concern effectively. He argued that Democrats should focus on economic issues rather than relying solely on policy proposals.
As New Jersey’s gubernatorial primary approaches, it serves as an early test for Democrats to see if they can effectively appeal to Latino voters by prioritizing economic issues over immigration.
Various Democratic perspectives were highlighted in recent political developments. For instance, Trump successfully won over two Hispanic-majority towns last year, despite losing them by significant margins in the 2016 election. On the other hand, Democrat Kamala Harris secured a traditionally blue state by a narrow margin, marking the closest presidential race in the state since 2004.
One notable figure, Sherrill, who previously flipped a Republican stronghold to win a House seat in 2018, emphasized her personal background and military service in her campaign. She also positioned herself as a candidate who would confront Trump and his influential advisor Elon Musk, pledging to reduce costs in areas like healthcare and housing.
Her campaign manager emphasized the importance of engaging Hispanic voters in suburban counties, highlighting the risk of a Republican victory in the upcoming election. Despite the challenges, Sherrill’s track record of winning tough elections, including unseating a long-time Republican incumbent in a Trump-supporting district, has instilled confidence in her team.
Meanwhile, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has been vocal in opposing plans by U.S. immigration authorities to establish a detention facility in his city. His recent arrest during a demonstration outside the facility garnered widespread attention and prompted support from fellow Democratic primary contenders.
As the election approaches, Democrats are mobilizing to address concerns within the Hispanic community. A recent poll revealed mixed sentiments among Hispanic adults towards Trump’s economic policies. The uncertainty surrounding Trump’s economic agenda, particularly in the wake of disruptions caused by his trade policies, has raised apprehensions about rising prices and economic instability.
Conservative groups, such as the Libre Initiative, are actively targeting Latino voters with ads promoting tax breaks enacted during Trump’s first term. Despite some apprehension among Latino voters about the pace and scope of Trump’s initiatives, conservative leaders urge patience and emphasize the need to evaluate the outcomes of his policies over time.
Amidst these political dynamics, the upcoming election holds significant implications for both parties as they vie for support from diverse voter demographics.
