Latinos Turn To The Right

Univision poll shows that 50% of Republican Latinos would vote for Donald Trump, indicating Latinos increase to the far right. 

By Yareni Murillo 

(Mexican flag at Mexican Cultural Institute (Yareni Murillo))

Latinos in America have continued to turn to the far right as a result of political and cultural factors, with recent data showing that 50% of republicans would vote for far-right candidate Donald Trump. The Univision poll released on September 25th, 2023, showed that despite Trump's recent legal troubles and lack of presence at the GOP debate, he continues to be the favored Republican candidate amongst Latino voters. 

Democrats have continued to win the Latino vote overall, however Republican support amongst Latino voters has increased by 10 points since 2018. For registered voters in 2022 the top issue was the economy, with health care, education, violent crime and gun policy following after. 

Studies have shown that Donald Trump has helped shift the narrative for Republicans, winning over some Latino voters. Some studies have shown that the Republican party has been gaining in the working class vote. Government professor at American University, and former employee of the Senate of 16 years, Jeff Lane said, “It's concerning for Democrats. I wouldn't contribute it all to Trump but he represents the populist wave. I think in general Trump has shifted some Democratic voters; not all, but working class voters to the Republican side.” 

Lane added that he believes cultural issues are responsible for the shift for many Latinos, mentioning the large Catholic body of Latinos. He said, “abortion, gender issues, you know whatever you might associate with the most progressive wing democratic party has arguably alienated some working class voters and by that I mean non-college educated voters.” Data from the Pew Research Center shows that while Lane is correct about the strong religious ties in many Latino communities that may be leading to the rightward shift, the religion of choice has been not the traditional Catholicism, but Evangelicsim. In 1970, Latin America was 90% Catholic – today the number is 65%. The cause of such a decrease is the increase of Evangelism, and similar figures have been shown amongst American Latinos. 

Despite this rise, traditionally, Catholicism is still a very cultural component of Latino cultures, apart from the direct religious aspect. Student at the University of Texas at Austin studying Government, and a self identified Latino Conservative, Bryan Antonio Martnez believes partly the left's support of the LGBTQ community, a traditionally point of contention for Catholics, as contributor to the rightward shift. Martnez said, “there's a lot of values that people in authority[Democrats] will advocate for that are not values that we grew up with or are comfortable with, like the idea of transgenderism and other queer politics which are something that most Latinos, or First Gen Americans are not raised with.” There has been no reported data to back this opinion up. 

Apart from the direct issues, messaging and persuasion of the voters is how a candidate wins. For recent graduate of American University, and self identified Latino conservative, Juan P. Villasmil believes Trump was very successful in this department. Villasmil said, “The Trump style. Just thinking about political strategy and messaging, Trump has portrayed himself as a victim of a  justice system that's attacking him specifically –  it’s a winning message, especially for Latinos as they look at the justice systems in Latin America.” Historians and Social Scientists have explained that Trump has left a psychological hold on the White House largely in part to his persona and messaging. 

Data is still pouring in from this decade with exact numbers and analysis about why Latinos are turning to the right. There is no clear answer. Experts and civilians weigh in on their thoughts, however until more conclusive data is released then the answer will remain unclear.

Villasmil said, “A lot of people misinterpret why Latinos are turning over to the right.”