Will Trump's Latino Outreach Fall Flat On Its Face In November?

Latino Voters Like The Kamala-Tim Vibe

"Fork In The Road" by Nancy Ohanian

There are around 35 million Latinos eligible to vote in the US now and something like 14% of the voters in November will be Hispanic-Americans. Some states have much greater numbers and that includes several swing states, like Arizona, where nearly a quarter of voters are Latino, and Nevada, where the percentage is 20%. In 2020, the Latino vote was decisive in delivering the election to Biden.

In 2008 and again in 2012, Obama tried to get the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the country’s oldest (1929) and largest (140,000 members) Latino civil rights group, to endorse his campaign. They explained that they don’t endorse in presidential elections. In 2016, Hillary tried, with the same response. In 2020, when Biden asked for their endorsement, they also politely declined. And then yesterday, LULAC’s PAC, LULAC Adelante, issued this statement:

“Throughout her career, Harris has demonstrated a commitment to justice, equality, and inclusivity— values that resonate deeply with the Latino community and will move our country forward in the right direction. Today we are proud to endorse Kamala Harris and Tim Walz because of the real issues facing Latino communities and all Americans across the nation; we can trust them to do what is right for our community and the country. The politics of hate mongering and scapegoating Latinos and immigrants must be stopped. Latinos understand how much is at stake in this election, for not only our community but our democracy. The choice in this election is clear: Donald Trump and Project 2025 would bring another four years of fearmongering, division, and disrespect and demonizing of Latinos.”

LULAC leaders are scheduled to speak at the Kamala rally in Las Vegas today. A friend of mine is an organizer for local 226 of the Culinary Workers Union, UNITE HERE in Las Vegas. She’s very excited by this endorsement and told me that most of the union’s 60,000 members will be as well. “The differences between the Harris/Walz ticket and Trump/Project 2025 couldn’t be starker,” she told me last night, “but especially when viewed through the lens of Latino communities’ experiences over the past few years. Under Trump, our community endured a relentless assault on their rights, dignity, and safety. His administration’s immigration policies, driven by an ugly and demeaning mix of racism and xenophobia, were draconian. The separation of families at the border, the rollback of DACA protections, and the escalation of deportations were all part of a broader strategy to demonize and marginalize immigrants, particularly those from Latin America. We won’t go back!”

“Kamala and Tim have been allies and are both advocates for humane and just immigration policies. As a Senator, Kamala, championed equality, justice and the rights of wokers and  immigrants. She always pushed for comprehensive immigration reform that includes a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants. Her work on the Senate Judiciary Committee demonstrated her commitment to holding the Trump administration accountable for its cruel and inhumane policies. As Governor of Minnesota, Tim has also been a staunch advocate for immigrant rights, working to make his state a more inclusive and welcoming place for all residents, regardless of their immigration status.”

She pointed out that healthcare is another critical area where the contrast is glaring. “Trump’s attempts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act threatened to strip millions of working families and of Latinos of their health coverage. You probably know that Latino adults are more likely than other racial or ethnic groups to be uninsured, making us especially vulnerable to the consequences of Trump’s rotten policies. The pandemic exposed the deep disparities in healthcare access, with Latinos suffering disproportionately from COVID because of systemic inequities in healthcare, housing and employment. In contrast, the Biden-Harris administration has worked to expand healthcare access, not just by protecting the ACA, but also by increasing funding for community health centers that serve predominantly Latino populations. Kamala has been a vocal advocate for addressing the social determinants of health, recognizing that healthcare is about more than just access to doctors— it’s about ensuring that everyone, regardless of race or income, has the opportunity to live a healthy life. Tim’s record in Minnesota shows a similar commitment, with initiatives aimed at reducing healthcare disparities and expanding access to affordable care.”

“Same goes for education, another area where Trump’s and Project 2025’s agenda would be disastrous for working families and for Latino communities. The Trump administration’s attacks on public education, including efforts to privatize schools and undermine funding for low-income districts, would disproportionately harm Latino students. The push to erase critical race theory and other inclusive curricula from schools is part of a broader effort to whitewash history and deny the realities of systemic racism— realities that many of us live every day. Education is the cornerstone of opportunity and equity. Kamala has been a strong, consistent  supporter of increasing federal funding for public schools, particularly those serving our communities. She has also advocated for debt-free college and expanded access to vocational training, recognizing that education is key to lifting Latino families out of poverty. Tim, a former teacher, has a real life understanding of the challenges facing our education system. His policies in Minnesota have focused on closing the achievement gap, increasing funding for public schools, and ensuring that every child— regardless of their zip code— has access to a quality education. LULAC did the right thing here.”

Recent polling shows that while Señor T has made some gains among Latino voters, he’s basically unpopular with most groups other than right-wing Cubans and anti-socialist Nicaraguans and Venezuelans; about half the Hispanics in the U.S. view Trump very unfavorably. His campaign has tried to appeal to younger Latino men by focusing on economic issues, but these efforts haven’t significantly changed his standing within the community. On the other hand, Harris and Walz have a solid foundation of support among Latino voters, particularly with those concerned about issues like immigration, personal liberty, healthcare, social justice and education, areas where Kamala and Walz are perceived to align more closely with the community's needs and values. The fear of a return to Trump’s divisive, hateful rhetoric and policies is also a significant factor driving Latino support for Harris and Walz.