Polls Indicate Shift in Latino Support Away from Trump
After a notable tilt towards President Donald Trump among Latino voters last November, a fresh survey suggests that enthusiasm may be waning, as revealed in polling data first shared with POLITICO.
In the initial months of his presidency, Trump’s popularity among Latinos appears to be plummeting, particularly among independent voters and women, according to a recent poll conducted by the Global Strategy Group, commissioned by Somos Votantes, a group that leans Democratic and emphasizes Latino issues.
The survey reveals a significant drop in approval ratings for Trump among independents, falling from 43 percent in February to just 29 percent by May. Overall, his approval rating among Latinos decreased from 43 percent to 39 percent. This poll, conducted from May 8 to May 18, included 800 Hispanic/Latino registered voters nationwide, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percent.
Furthermore, opinions on Trump’s economic management are increasingly negative; only 38 percent of those surveyed expressed a favorable view. This sentiment is even more pronounced among independents, where approval plummets to 26 percent, and among women, it stands at a mere 30 percent.
Melissa Morales, president of Somos Votantes, remarked, “These numbers tell a pretty clear story that (Trump’s economic) trust is not only steadily, but quickly, eroding, which is a huge liability for the president.” She noted that Trump’s initial gains among Latino voters were largely attributed to his promises of economic improvement.
A striking 56 percent of respondents believe the economy is worsening under Trump’s administration, while only 19 percent see any signs of improvement.
Morales added, “Many Latinos didn’t necessarily vote for Donald Trump. They voted for change. They voted for something different than what they were experiencing in their everyday economic lives.”
Despite these shifting sentiments, Republicans are banking on continued Latino support in the upcoming midterms, following Trump’s earlier inroads. Recently, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) rolled out a Spanish-language ad campaign aimed at eight Democratic House members, reinforcing their strategy to target 11 Democratic-held seats across the Southwest.
The GOP is keen to highlight Trump’s previous successes with this demographic, as well as gains in specific majority-Hispanic House districts. When announcing their targets, Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), NRCC Chair, made a heartfelt appeal to Hispanic voters on cable television.
“Hispanic voters. We want your vote,” Hudson proclaimed. “We share your values. Our policies will make your lives better.”
However, according to Somos Votantes, this message seems to be missing the mark.
“There is a significant disconnect between what Hispanic/Latino voters want the President and Congress to prioritize versus what they perceive Trump and Republicans are actually doing,” stated a memo that accompanied the polling data.
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