Staff Reports
Recent polling from NBC/Telemundo reveals a surprising shift among Hispanic voters, leaning toward the Trump camp and putting Kamala Harris in a less than desirable position. Contrasted against the 44-point lead Barack Obama enjoyed in 2012, the current 14-point margin shows just how much the Democrats are losing ground within this critical demographic. Donald Trump’s strong performance mirrors the days of George W. Bush’s 2004 re-election when he garnered 44 percent support from Latino voters. With this new data, Democrats may find themselves backpedaling faster than Kamala on a debate stage.
The political landscape in Florida is stirring, with reports suggesting it could be a closer race than anticipated for the Republicans. RealClearPolitics has even placed the state’s Senate race in a tossup category, drawing skepticism from conservatives. The noticeable shift in voter registration and the solid red tsunami that flooded the Sunshine State in 2022 baffled many who expected Florida to be competitive this election cycle. Notably, even when Biden enjoyed a slight lead going into the 2020 election, Trump still managed to win Florida by over three points. So, could all that momentum translate into uncertainty now? It seems unlikely.
#NEW FLORIDA HISPANIC VOTERS poll
🔴 Trump: 48% (+7)
🔵 Harris: 41%
🟡 Undecided: 7%
🟢 Other: 4%CUBAN-AMERICANS:
🔴 Trump: 61% (+33)
🔵 Harris: 28%Mason-Dixon | Sept. 23-25 | N=625LV
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 1, 2024
A recent Telemundo poll highlights that Florida Hispanics are backing Trump by a 7-point lead, with him at 48% and Harris trailing at 41%. This shining light for Republicans indicates a robust preference among Cuban-American voters, where Trump is winning a whopping 61% of their support compared to Harris’s mere 28%. On the flip side, Harris has a stronger footing among Puerto Rican voters, leading Trump 58% to 33%. However, the overall picture in the state still paints a favorable outlook for the GOP.
Trust in economic handling could very well be the nail in the Democrats’ coffin. Trump is leading Harris 51% to 41% statewide on economic issues, while immigration shows an even more dramatic 55% to 38% advantage for Trump. As voters delve into issues that directly affect their lives, these numbers may seal the deal, provided Democrats continue their descent into oblivion on these topics. In Florida’s Senate race, Rick Scott is leading among Hispanic voters as well, offering a reassuring glance at the GOP’s electoral prospects.
With the clock ticking down to Election Day, and based on the polling numbers, the prospects for Democrats in Florida appear grim. Trump’s lead among white voters by 25 points in the previous election hammers home the fact that even if Harris can make some headway with minority groups, it won’t be enough. The likely outcome is that Trump, combined with other factors, leaves Democrats grappling for relevance in a state they’ve increasingly lost ground in. While the Democrats scramble, Republican leadership is hard at work solving pressing issues, such as the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, proving that competent governance continues to resonate with Florida voters.
