What Do Hispanic Voters Want? Mostly What We All Want... They're Just Smarter About It

Last night before going to bed, I was studying the new polling data from Emerson. My last thought before drifting off was to ask myself why Latino voters seem to be the most woke of any of the delineated demographics among Democratic primary voters. I grew up thinking it was African-Americans— because of their collective experience of racism— who were the smartest voters. Before that— and for the same reasons— it had been Jews. So I guess the theory holds now that it would be Latinos.

Among African-Americans, Biden holds a strong lead with 60% support, followed by Harris and Sanders with 12%, and Warren with 6%. Among white voters, Biden received 28% support followed by Sanders with 27%, Warren with 16% and Buttigieg with 11%. And among Hispanic or Latino voters, Sanders leads with 44%, followed by Biden with 26%, Warren with 11% and Harris with 7%. 

When I woke up I found a press release from Latino Decisions about their own recent polling, Poll Answers the Question, “What Do Latinos Want to See in a Presidential Candidate?”. Their poll “takes the temperature on Latino sentiment toward the parties, sketches what Latinos want to see in a presidential candidate and takes a closer look at what lies behind Latino issue priorities.”

According to the poll, a candidate that “values diversity and brings people together” led the list of traits Latino voters would like to see, over traits like “prior experience in elected office,” or “business and private sector experience.” “Speaks Spanish” ranked last among the traits Latino voters prioritize, according to the survey.

“Our community’s voters are sending a strong message: candidates matter, positions matter, and meaningful outreach is essential. Latino voters continue to show that they care about substance,” said Clarissa Martínez de Castro, UnidosUS Deputy Vice President for Policy and Advocacy. “Historically, a substantial number of Latino voters have been potential swing voters not bound by party affiliation. But it is also clear that there is a shift away from the GOP, as the Republican party has come to be seen as embracing or leading the charge on anti-immigrant and anti-Latino rhetoric and actions,” she said.

The poll shows that Latinos are willing to vote for candidates based on issue positions. Thirty-seven percent of respondents said that they have voted for a Republican candidate in past elections, and 38 percent said they would consider voting for a Republican candidate who spoke out against President Trump’s harsh policies, treated Latinos with respect and worked to create more humane immigration laws. However, 66 percent of all Latino voters are frustrated with the way Trump and his allies have treated Latinos and immigrants, and only 16 percent of all Latino voters said they like the Republican party of today.

“The poll shows that support for the GOP is eroding. More than half of Latinos who have voted for Republicans in past elections say it is hard to support Republican candidates right now. While the president claims Latino support is growing, that is not based in reality. In fact, he has brought down the overall likeability of the entire party,” Martínez de Castro said.

At the same time, only 57 percent of self-identified Democrats polled said they were certain they would participate in their state primary or caucus. And 17 percent of all Latinos remain undecided about who they will vote for in 2020.

“Looking at the more immediate future, Democrats have their work cut out for them. Latino voters want a candidate who values them and will unify the country. They want a national leader who will get things done on the issues that matter most to them,” said Sylvia Manzano, Principal, Latino Decisions.

On issues, the top three priorities Latino voters would like to see their ideal presidential candidate focus on are health care, jobs and the economy, and immigration, with education and gun violence rounding off the top five. When asked to name their number-one priority for candidates, 23 percent chose economy and jobs, 17 percent health care and 15 percent immigration. Notably, the poll provides additional detail on what is driving those priorities. On the economy, voters are concerned about unemployment, lack of jobs and low wages. Under health care, voters are concerned about cost and access to coverage. And under immigration, voters want to see a stop to family separation, abuse and deportations.

It is estimated that by 2020, Latinos will be the largest minority voting bloc. “Future elections will increasingly hinge on Latinos. If candidates want to connect with Latinos, they need to show they embrace the nation’s diversity, have a plan to get things done, and advance real solutions particularly in the economic, health and immigration areas,” Martínez de Castro concluded.