For decades, the Latino community was reliably Democratic. However, according to the National Republican Congressional Committee’s Battleground Survey Project’s recent poll, Democrats only hold a small advantage over Republicans with Hispanic voters — at 44 percent
to 37 percent.
But why? Why are we seeing such a dramatic change in margin? After all, in the 2000 exit polls, Hispanic voters were 63 percent Democrat and 36 percent Republican, according to the New York Post.
The answer is simple – Republicans are aiming at the household of every American. Over time, Hispanic Democrats became less confident that the party was on their side. Concerns such as the party-line lack of faith in law enforcement, being too lax on border security, and too focused on racial disparities started to lessen the hold that Democrats had on Americans—and, specifically, immigrants who have claimed their place here legally yet still are made to feel unwelcome.
A whopping 41 percent of battleground Hispanic voters argue Republicans are “better able to protect the American Dream.” Hispanic voters have a growing opposition to inflation, cost of food and groceries, and elevated gas prices, as we all do and should. Which brings us to the victory of Mayra Flores for Texas’ 34th Congressional District. Flores was elected to replace Democrat Filemon Vela, who retired before his term ended. Flores’ victory is the first of its kind, as she is the first Mexican-born woman to be elected to Congress, coming to the United States at only 6 years old.
“The main issue is inflation,” Flores said, when asked of the issues that drove the election. “The cost of living. Everyone is extremely p*ssed off, angry at the Biden Administration because of increase of gasoline, groceries, of medication. That is hurting them tremendously, not only here in South Texas but in the entire country. Of course, the border crisis is something we see here right in our backyards. It is not something that we need to be told by the news.”
Herwin marks a major shift in a district that not only has been solidly blue for years, but with 84 percent of its population being Hispanic. During her campaign, Flores implemented elements of former President Trump’s rhetoric, boasts of her immigration being executed legally, and how she is a stern supporter of law and order. On her website, she confirms she was “raised with strong conservative values and to always put God and family first.”
Flores argues the Democratic party has done nothing to earn their support. She singles out how their vote has brought to light President Biden signing multiple executive orders that would kill Texas jobs and weaken border security – all of which we see are a direct concern to the Hispanic community.
“But this isn’t a done deal. Republican candidates need to continue fighting to win over Hispanic voters with a message focused on the economy and why Republicans are best positioned to protect the American Dream so many Hispanics came to this country to achieve,” according to an NRCC memo.
