MIAMI — On Election Day, various Hispanic communities from Pennsylvania to Florida to Texas shared a common thread: their support for Republican Donald Trump over Democrat Kamala Harris. Trump notably made significant gains in predominantly Puerto Rican regions of eastern Pennsylvania, where Harris campaigned heavily during the final day leading up to the election. In South Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, a region traditionally aligned with Democrats, Trump managed to gain support from both recent immigrants and longer-established Tejanos.
In addition, Trump’s popularity surged among Hispanic voters along Florida’s Interstate 4 corridor, which connects the Tampa Bay area, home to individuals of Cuban, Venezuelan, Nicaraguan, Colombian, and Puerto Rican heritage, with Orlando, where Puerto Ricans represent about 43% of the Hispanic demographic. Notably, Trump became the first Republican since 1988 to secure victory in Miami-Dade County, a significant area with a large Cuban population and a notable immigrant presence. This political shift, if it continues, could represent a turning point in American politics.
Both Texas and Florida are already seen as solidly Republican states, but an increasing number of Hispanic voters moving away from the Democratic Party could jeopardize the party’s previously reliable strongholds in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The realignment may also pose challenges for Democrats in the Western states such as Arizona and Nevada, where they have historically performed well. Throughout the campaign, Harris sought to draw attention to the controversial actions and rhetoric of Trump toward Latino communities, aiming to position the Democratic Party as the more supportive option for Hispanic voters.
During his first term, Trump’s administration restricted the Temporary Protected Status program, which was extended to many Venezuelans by Democratic President Joe Biden. He also sought to dismantle the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program initiated during the Obama administration. Moreover, he faced criticism for his delayed response in providing relief aid to Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria in 2017, often labeling the island’s leadership as corrupt. Upon regaining the White House, Trump has warned of implementing the largest deportation operation in U.S. history, a move that could drastically affect mixed-status families with both undocumented individuals and U.S. citizens.
Despite the Democrats’ efforts to highlight these issues, they did not resonate strongly enough with Hispanic voters. As a critical and expanding demographic, the party now faces the challenge of regaining support from this group. The complexities of campaigning against a figure like Trump can be confusing for Democratic strategists, as stated by Abel Prado, a Democratic operative and pollster, who emphasized the difficulty in organizing responses to Trump’s appeal.
Economic concerns seemed to outweigh immigration issues for many Hispanic voters. Surveys indicated that around 70% of Hispanic voters expressed significant worry regarding food prices, surpassing the general voter population’s concerns. Additionally, nearly two-thirds of Hispanic participants reported being very concerned about housing costs, again reflecting a greater worry compared to other voters. Trump held a distinct advantage among those Hispanic voters focused on economic assessments, with many believing he would manage fiscal matters more effectively than Harris.
Comments from individuals such as Marcela Diaz-Myers, who had led Hispanic outreach efforts for the Pennsylvania Republican Party, highlighted that several Hispanic voters appreciated Trump’s approach to improving economic conditions despite his occasional inflammatory remarks. In contrast, Harris proposed plans to address food pricing and provide increased funding for first-time home buyers, even as recent crime statistics showed some decline.
Harris also attempted to leverage a comedic jab about Puerto Rico that had been made at a Trump rally, enlisting Puerto Rican celebrities to denounce racism. However, Trump’s support in regions with high Puerto Rican populations in Pennsylvania still increased, allowing him to win counties that Harris spent considerable campaign time in, indicating a significant shift from Democratic stronghold to a more balanced landscape.
In Florida, Trump’s win was decisive among the Hispanic populace, securing a 13-point margin over the Democratic challenger, reflecting a notable growth from previous elections. The Republican candidate also made headway in counties like Seminole and Osceola, which have seen an influx of Venezuelans amid the country’s crisis, and he reduced the Democratic advantage in Orange County.
Kevin Marino Cabrera, a Miami-Dade County commissioner, remarked that Hispanic voters appeared to be turning away from Democratic policies, which have faced criticism for being overly progressive.
In South Texas,where a significant portion of the Hispanic population is of Mexican heritage, Prado observed a similar trend, highlighting that Trump had reclaimed areas he previously lost by over 40 points. This shift came even as local Democratic officials made strides in improving economic conditions in the region.
Prado pointed out that many conservative Hispanic voters felt alienated by national Democratic emphasis on issues like reproductive and transgender rights, which were effectively addressed by Republicans. Many voters expressed a desire to resist perceived societal changes and invoked a desire to pursue the American dream.
According to Daniel Alegre, CEO of TelevisaUnivision, Trump’s appeal to Hispanics seems less about party affiliation and more rooted in pressing issues like the economy and immigration. He highlighted a sentiment among long-term Hispanic residents regarding unequal government assistance for new immigrants.
Alegre emphasized the need for both parties to remain attentive and engaged with Hispanic communities, a feat the Trump campaign appeared to have accomplished successfully.