A new poll of over 3,000 Latino voters reveals that Vice President Kamala Harris currently leads former President Donald Trump by 27 points among this crucial demographic. Despite this significant advantage, Harris’s performance is weaker compared to past Democratic candidates, including Joe Biden, who held a 33-point lead among Latino voters in 2020, reports MSNBC.
The poll, commissioned by the nation’s largest Latino nonprofit organization, is the first major survey of Latino voters since Harris secured her party’s nomination. It offers an early glimpse into the dynamics of the upcoming election, with Harris showing some momentum but still falling short of the margins seen by Democrats in previous cycles.
The poll also explores the impact of running mates on voter preferences. It suggests that Trump’s choice of J.D. Vance as his running mate may be hurting his appeal among Latino voters, with a slight drop in support compared to when he is considered independently. Conversely, Harris’s running mate, Tim Walz, has had a mildly positive but largely neutral impact.
Latino voters are primarily focused on economic issues, such as inflation, jobs, and housing, which resonate across all demographic subgroups, including men, women, and older voters. This trend is consistent even in key battleground states, where Harris leads Trump among Latino voters. These states are particularly significant, as the number of eligible Hispanic voters in each exceeds the margin of victory in the 2020 election.
Interviews with Latino voters in battleground states like Florida reveal mixed sentiments. Some express enthusiasm about Harris, particularly due to her youth and energy, likening it to the excitement around Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign. Others remain skeptical, citing concerns about the economy and dissatisfaction with Biden’s tenure.
While immigration remains a key issue, it ranks lower on the list of priorities compared to economic concerns, gun violence, and crime. Notably, only 24% of respondents support completing the border wall, though nearly half favor protecting long-term residents from deportation.
The poll also highlights a significant challenge for both parties: over half of Latino voters, 55%, report that they have not yet been contacted by either party, indicating a potential gap in voter outreach efforts. As the election approaches, the race to win over this pivotal voter group is far from over, with room for both parties to make gains.
This poll underscores the importance of Latino voters in the upcoming election and the evolving landscape of their political priorities. With a younger electorate and a nuanced approach to issues like immigration, the Latino vote is poised to play a decisive role in determining the next president of the United States.
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