In the recent election, Donald Trump’s support among Latino voters in New Jersey appeared to have helped him secure a second term, with a drop in support for Vice President Kamala Harris making the margin between them closer than expected. Despite Trump’s harsh rhetoric on immigration, he managed to win support in majority Hispanic districts in the state, including areas like North Bergen, Union City, and Passaic.
Many Latino voters in New Jersey felt abandoned by Democrats and were attracted to the Republican Party’s messaging on economic opportunities and business growth. Activists like Patricia Campos-Medina pointed out that Democrats need to engage with Latino voters on a variety of issues beyond immigration and make investments in grassroots organizing to maintain their support.
Nationally, Trump won the support of about 46% of Latino voters, particularly appealing to Latino men due to his economic policies and more traditional views on gender roles. The Democratic Party’s failure to engage with Latino voters effectively and address their concerns on issues like affordability and job opportunities contributed to the shift in support.
Both Governor Phil Murphy and Congressman Rob Menendez acknowledged the need for Democrats to do a better job of engaging with the Latino community and addressing their diverse needs and concerns. Moving forward, Democrats will need to focus on building a continuous dialogue with Latino voters and showing tangible results to win back their support.
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