In a recent survey, it was revealed that a significant proportion of Hispanic women view Vice President Kamala Harris positively while having an unfavorable opinion of former President Donald Trump. This trend contrasts with Hispanic men, who seem to have mixed feelings towards both candidates. The discrepancies in opinions highlight how both candidates are vying for support from this demographic as the election nears.
The poll indicates that while Hispanic women largely support Harris, Hispanic men are more likely to believe that Trump aligns more closely with their opinions on critical issues. This phenomenon underlines the importance of securing Hispanic male voters for both parties, demonstrated by their differing levels of support for each candidate as they campaign.
As the election looms, Trump’s capacity to sway Hispanic voters away from Harris could prove vital, particularly in battleground states like Arizona. Overall, Hispanic voters tend to lean more towards the Democratic Party. The poll reveals that nearly half of Hispanic voters identify as Democrats, approximately one-third as Republicans, and around 20% as independents. Still, among Hispanic men, there exists a slightly greater openness towards Trump compared to the consistent support for Harris from Hispanic women.
Take Antonio Melcon, a 65-year-old Republican from Florida, who supports Trump, believing he is the best option for the nation’s future. Melcon critiques the current administration and perceives Harris as ineffective, stating, “She might not have started the current trajectory, but she hasn’t made any impactful changes that justify my support for her.” Melcon asserts he would never cast a vote for her.
When looking specifically at Vice President Harris, the survey shows that a significant gender gap exists among Hispanic voters regarding her approval. Approximately 60% of Hispanic women express a favorable view of her, in stark contrast to only 45% of Hispanic men. Additionally, around half of the Hispanic women surveyed believe Harris would serve effectively as president, whereas only one-third of Hispanic men share that sentiment.
Some voters convey their support for candidates based on perceived negatives about their opponents. For instance, Sonia Montoya, a 68-year-old Democrat from Chicago, acknowledges Harris’s policies but considers her “the lesser of two evils.” Montoya feels Harris has a better grasp of societal issues compared to Trump, whom she describes as “arrogant and deceitful.”
Furthermore, the survey shows that roughly 60% of Hispanic female voters believe Trump would fail as president, while only about half of Hispanic men agree. Additionally, Hispanic men are more likely to rate Trump positively regarding his perceived toughness. Around half of them believe he embodies the necessary qualities to be president, compared to just one-third of Hispanic women who feel similarly.
Yet, a significant number of Hispanic men remain supportive of Harris. Sebastian Diaz, a 51-year-old independent from Massachusetts, regards Harris favorably, as his ideological beliefs align closely with hers, and he has a strong disapproval of Trump, calling him “a racist bigot.”
Regardless of differences in opinions about the candidates, the economy appears to be a unifying concern for Hispanic voters as they weigh their choices. About 80% believe economic issues are among the top priorities this election. Daysi Garcia, a 44-year-old Republican from Pennsylvania, claims that rising grocery prices significantly affect her voting decision. She used to identify as a Democrat but has since shifted her stance due to dissatisfaction with Democrats’ economic policies, saying she believes Trump could better address the nation’s needs.
Melcon echoes similar sentiments regarding economic challenges, stating, “The economy is my main concern, followed closely by immigration.” The survey also notes that healthcare and crime rank highly among critical issues for Hispanic voters, with nearly 60% citing them as priorities, while nearly half are concerned about gun policy and immigration policies.
Interestingly, many Hispanic voters perceive Harris as a better cultural representative than Trump, with about 40% believing she represents their culture effectively while only 25% agree with Trump in this regard. Nevertheless, a considerable segment of respondents — approximately 30% — feel neither candidate accurately represents their cultural background. Advocates for civic engagement argue that Harris’s immigrant heritage might resonate with some Hispanic voters, despite her not being of Hispanic descent.
Montoya, identifying as biracial, endorses Harris as a candidate who understands her struggles, stating, “She knows what it feels like to face prejudice, and I believe she will advocate for us more vigorously than Trump ever would.”
The poll, which surveyed 1,771 registered voters from September 12-16, 2024, is based on a sample from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, ensuring its representation of the U.S. population. It carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points for registered voters.
