You will almost always find more interesting stories on the “Meet the Press Blog” than you will on “Meet the Press,” moderated by the insufferable Chuck Todd.
This ran yesterday on the blog; I just saw it a few minutes ago. It is story and headline that would have been impossible a few years back:
This one demographic has driven much of the GOP’s gains with Latino voters
Conservative Latinos have gone from Democratic-leaning voters in 2012 to base GOP voters now.
The opening paragraph to Mark Murray’s and Alexandra Marquez’s story reads, “Of all the numbers from our recent NBC News/Telemundo poll of Latino voters, this set maybe stands out the most: Conservative Latinos have gone from Democratic-leaning voters in 2012 to Republican base voters now.”
They compare 2012 to now and there is an astonishing shift:
In the merged NBC News/Wall Street Journal polls of 2012, 49% of self-described conservative Latinos said they preferred Democratic control of Congress, versus 40% who wanted Republicans in charge — a 9-point edge for Democrats.
But in our Sept. 2022 NBC News/Telemundo poll, a whopping 73% of conservative Latinos say they prefer Republicans in control of Congress, versus 17% who prefer Democrats — a 56-point advantage for the GOP.
Good news. Latinos natural home is with the party of life.
The incredibly large shift of conservative Latinos from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party marks a notable transformation in American political dynamics. Traditionally, Latinos have leaned towards the Democratic Party due to its stances on issues like immigration reform, social welfare, and healthcare. However, in recent years, there has been a visible shift among conservative-leaning Latinos towards the Republican Party, particularly influenced by factors such as religious values, economic policies, and concerns about law and order.
This shift is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it challenges the notion of Latinos as a monolithic voting bloc and highlights the diversity of political ideologies within the community. Secondly, it underscores the Republican Party’s efforts to broaden its appeal beyond its traditional base and attract support from minority communities. Thirdly, it has the potential to reshape electoral outcomes in key battleground states with large Latino populations.
Factors contributing to this shift include outreach efforts by Republican leaders to engage with Latino voters, messaging that resonates with conservative values, and disillusionment with certain Democratic policies or leadership. Additionally, the increasing diversity within the Latino community itself, encompassing individuals with varied backgrounds, priorities, and political beliefs, has played a role in this realignment.
While the extent and longevity of this shift remain to be seen, its emergence as a significant trend underscores the evolving nature of American politics and the importance of understanding the complexities of voter behavior within diverse communities.
Chelsea Garcia is a political writer with a special interest in international relations and social issues. Events surrounding the war in Ukraine and the war in Israel are a major focus for political journalists. But as a former local reporter, she is also interested in national politics.
Chelsea Garcia studied media, communication and political science in Texas, USA, and learned the journalistic trade during an internship at a daily newspaper. In addition to her political writing, she is pursuing a master's degree in multimedia and writing at Texas.
