The surprising shift: why nearly half of Latino voters chose Trump

In a stunning turn of events, Donald Trump has reclaimed the White House, securing the GOP nomination and surpassing the crucial threshold of 270 electoral college votes. The November 5 general election, widely anticipated to be one of the most fiercely contested in U.S. history, has culminated in Trump being declared the 47th president-elect, triumphantly defeating his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.

One of the most interesting aspects of the election, which came to light as the results came in, was the pivotal role Latino voters played in delivering the victory to Donald Trump. Although many in this vibrant community traditionally lean Democratic, their support didn’t align with expectations this time. In a surprising twist, Trump’s appeal among Latino voters grew, even in the face of a campaign often criticized for its anti-immigrant rhetoric and comments that many viewed as racially charged. This unexpected shift has become a focal point in understanding the dynamics of this remarkable election. However, the fact that Democrats see Latinos as so closely related to the issue of immigration highlights why they have begun to lose favor with the group.

However, while the outcome might be surprising to many, there were indications in the poll that Donald Trump was gaining support among Latino and Hispanic voters. While the former president was not expected to win the group outright, polls saw him performing better with this group than he did in 2020. In other words, Kamala Harris underperformed with Latino voters compared to Biden’s 2020 run. Some political analysts point to the fact that the Democratic party has distanced itself from the policies of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who won the primaries in Nevada and California, thanks to the support of Latino voters and young people in 2020. The argument is that these policies might have been helpful to Harris as she looked to expand her coalition this time around.

Trump wins among Latinos with 45% of the votes

Donald Trump has significantly increased his support among Latino voters. Compared to his performance in the 2020 elections, the president-elect gained 25 percentage points. According to an NBC News poll, Trump received support from 45 percent of Latino voters nationwide, up from 32 percent in 2020. The increase was driven by Latino men, of which 54 percent reported voting for Trump in exit polls. As for Latina women, only 37 percent reported voting for the former president.

On the other hand, Candidate Harris maintained her lead with Latino voters overhaul, securing the support of 52 percent of votes from this demographic group overall. However, this rate has declined from the 65 percent that President Joe Biden received in 2020. With this shift, Trump achieved the best performance among Latino voters for a Republican candidate since George W. Bush, who garnered 44 percent of the votes in 2004.

Why did Latinos vote more for Trump? The reason why they decided on the Republican

The primary motivation for Latino voters aligning themselves with the Republican Party centers around economic concerns. Recent post-election surveys reveal that economic issues were the foremost driving force behind Latino voter mobilization, surpassing other significant topics such as immigration and reproductive rights.

A first-time voter of Puerto Rican descent shared her insights during an interview with CNN, stating, “Everyone has an opinion. If they don’t like Puerto Ricans, of course, it hurts, but at the end of the day, I’m fine with who I am. Ultimately, I want to have a better life in the future.” This sentiment captures the desire for personal and financial stability that many voters prioritize over the character of a candidate who has vilified immigrants, including those from Latin American countries. However, Democrats must understand that assuming Latino votes will always lean in their favor overlooks an important reality: as immigrant communities assimilate, their electoral perspectives start to align more closely with the broader electorate. Consequently, immigration, an issue which the Democrats have tended to treat with greater symptahy and compassion, tends to become less central to their voting decisions.

Additionally, a Latina voter from California voiced her frustrations regarding the escalating costs of living and the persistent issue of inflation. She articulated the struggle she faces in maintaining financial security, highlighting a widespread concern among Americans today. For many individuals in the Latino community, the quest for financial well-being and a secure economic future takes precedence over other political and social issues, underscoring the importance of addressing economic policies that directly impact their lives.