For the longest time, Democrat presidential candidates have enjoyed significant support from Latinos ahead of an election. But current polls and sentiment do not paint a picture of President Joe Biden among Hispanic voters. A recent poll shows Biden, who won approximately 65 percent of Latinos in 2020, is currently trailing former President Donald Trump by 5 percent with Latino voters. The same demographic that aided Biden's win in 2020 is now poised to be the one to deliver him a loss in 2024.
Yet Republicans shouldn't take a victory lap just yet. A lot of time and work is needed if they want to win the Latino vote in 2024 outright.
The Latino population in the United States has been steadily growing, making it a significant portion of the electorate. According to the Pew Research Center, Latinos accounted for 13.3 percent of eligible voters in 2020, and this percentage is projected to rise in the coming years. As their demographic influence expands, so does their potential impact on electoral outcomes.
Several states like Florida, Arizona, Nevada, and Texas are already critical electoral states with sizable Latino populations. Still, other states are emerging as important states with a growing Latino electorate. They include states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, and even Wisconsin.
To win Latino voters, both political parties need to center their arguments on what they will do to fix our economy. Polls have shown that the number one issue for Latinos heading into an election year is jobs and the economy.
Democrats need to make the argument that although Latino voters may not feel the effects just yet, President Biden's economic policies will help lower-income and middle-class Americans achieve the American Dream.
Republicans who wish to win big with Latinos should be clear that the status quo is unsustainable, and a dramatic course correction is needed. In short, Latinos cannot afford another four years of big government solutions.
It's also crucial for both political parties and all candidates to appreciate the diversity and nuance among Latino voters. Puerto Rican and Cuban voters are likely to have very different experiences than Mexican American voters when it comes to dealing with our country's immigration system. Strong anti-Communist messaging will not land the same way with Central American Latinos as it will with Venezuelan Americans.
By extension, issues such as economic mobility, immigration, healthcare, and education resonate differently within the Latino electorate, requiring nuanced approaches to garner support.
But successful outreach to the Latino community involves more than just recognizing its diversity. Political campaigns must invest in targeted and culturally sensitive strategies to engage Latino voters effectively. Grassroots initiatives, community involvement, and bilingual outreach efforts can bridge communication gaps and foster a sense of connection between candidates and the Latino electorate.
The significance of the Latino vote extends beyond individual states; it has the potential to influence the overall direction of national politics. Winning the trust and support of Latino voters can lead to victory in key swing states and ultimately determine the election outcome.
As the United States inches closer to the next election, President Biden, Democrats, and Republicans must recognize the transformative power of the Latino vote. Acknowledging the diversity within the Latino community, tailoring policies to address their concerns, and implementing effective outreach strategies are paramount. In a political landscape where every vote counts, the Latino electorate emerges not only as a demographic force but as a dynamic and influential voice that will help define the future of American governance.
Both political parties need Latino voters to win the White House and to control the U.S. Congress. But to do this, anyone running for office must make long-term investments to win over the trust—and, ultimately, the faith of millions of Latino voters looking for bold leadership to live out the American Dream.
Oscar De La Rosa is a former Hialeah council member and founder and lead attorney at De La Rosa Law, a mass tort and data breach litigation law firm based in Miami, FL and Washington, DC.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.
