Staff Reports
An exciting development unfolded in Arizona as the Republican Party and Latino Americans for Trump took to the streets, rallying Hispanic voters to throw their support behind the political comeback of former President Donald Trump. Among the attendees was Rep. Steve Montenegro, who undoubtedly felt right at home in this sea of red, white, and blue—far from the cringe-inducing displays of loyalty to the current administration.
The spotlight shone brightly on the failings of Kamala Harris as Jaime Florez, the Hispanic communications director for the Trump campaign, laid bare the impact of the Biden-Harris administration’s policies. According to Florez, historic inflation is not just an abstract economic statistic, but a reality that has brought day-to-day life to a grinding halt for numerous Hispanic families throughout Arizona. From crime levels that would make Gotham feel safe, to a border situation that resembles a scene from a dystopian sci-fi film, the message was clear: Harris’ leadership is about as welcome as a skunk at a garden party.
Arizona GOP making major outreach to Hispanic voters for presidential race https://t.co/t5I4YrmpUf
— John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) September 22, 2024
Support for Trump was echoed by local business owners, who were quick to voice concerns over their struggles in the current economic climate. One such proprietor, Terry Mendoza, passionately proclaimed that small business owners are the backbone of America, implying that many in the room wouldn’t miss the Biden-Harris administration even if they tried. Mendoza eagerly anticipated the day when he could reclaim his American identity, presumably by casting off the shackles of bureaucracy and over-regulation that seem to thrive under the Democrats.
Montenegro emphasized that despite claims to the contrary, Hispanic poverty levels have dipped below pre-pandemic figures. Yet there seems to be a disconnect as inflation continues to gnaw at the wallets of these community members, prompting calls for a return to Trump’s economic policies. Many attendees seem to be asking, “Where’s the beef?” when it comes to current leadership, with inflation taking center stage in discussions about the issues that most affect Hispanic voters.
While some polls suggest that there is a slight advantage for Biden among Hispanic voters, it only took a few moments at the rally to hear that nearly 40% of Hispanic constituents disapprove strongly of his presidency. The equation gets even messier when voters weigh other critical issues such as immigration, inflation, and labor. It appears that a segment of the Hispanic population is feeling a twinge of nostalgia for Trump’s “America First” stance, hoping to roll back the clock on the policies they believe have left them swimming upstream.
As the Arizona U.S. Senate race gains traction, there’s chatter about Democratic candidate Ruben Gallego outpacing Kari Lake among Hispanic voters. This may look concerning for Republicans, but one must remember—political fortunes can change faster than a politician can misplace a promise. The coalition built by Trump this election cycle shows there’s still hope for Republicans to court these essential voters, with Montenegro confidently stating that Trump has delivered results in the past, and, as he puts it, that’s what really matters to the Hispanic community.
