The “staggering” increase in the Latino vote share in Texas is due to a “confluence” of factors, an expert on Latino voting trends told CNN early Tuesday morning before polls opened.
Latinos have become perhaps the largest group of influential voters in the United States. Traditionally a part of the Democratic-leaning electorate in much of the country, Latinos turned heavily toward President Donald Trump in the 2024 election. But the economic frustrations that propelled him to victory are now fueling discontent among many of those same voters with the ruling Republicans.
Latino voters turned out in large numbers in Texas, where Democrat James Talarico is trying to flip a crucial Senate seat for his party, according to early voting. The Latino share of early voting increased nearly five points from 2022 and nearly 60% more Latino voters turned out in the state, according to Catalist data.
“It’s not just about ICE raids. It’s not just about a terrible economy. It’s about a loss of trust,” said Mike Madrid, co-founder of the Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump Republican organization.
“When you start to see Latino voters, especially younger voters and voters with little or no propensity to match the white and black vote share, it’s just unheard of,” he said, using terms for people who rarely, if ever, vote.
Among the issues motivating these voters, according to Madrid: U.S. involvement in foreign wars, the Epstein files, foreign beef subsidies and the impact of eviction raids on the construction industry.
Last month, CNN’s Carolina Peguero spoke with residents in the town of McAllen, near the Mexico border, about the policies that are top of mind for Latino voters in Texas. Here’s what they had to say:
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The economy and immigration policy are a priority for many Latino voters in Texas. CNN’s Carolina Peguero spoke with residents in the town of McAllen, near the border with Mexico, ahead of the midterm elections.
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The economy and immigration policy are a priority for many Latino voters in Texas. CNN’s Carolina Peguero spoke with residents in the town of McAllen, near the border with Mexico, ahead of the midterm elections.
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Latino voters in South Texas focus on economy, immigration
Correction: An earlier version of this story presented an incorrect percentage for the increase in Latino voters in Texas since 2022.
