Americans cast votes individually, not in groups – but sometimes trends emerge worth attention. Hispanic voters are moving like eagles on an updraft – to the Republican Party. This terrifies Democrats, as it should. Hispanic Americans are helping create 2022’s “red wave.”
It seems that Hispanic Americans are no longer willing to be taken for granted. They are not a voting block, not interchangeable, and not culturally homogenous. That being said, they share cultural affinities – like those drawn from the former British Empire. They share language, emphasis on family, hard work, and faith.
These culturally significant factors are binding, along with millions of stories that begin with a “dream” and end with citizenship and gratitude. The Republicans see and honor that, while Democrats are increasingly tone-deaf.
The dial is turning. Hispanic Americans, long viewed as political dependents on Democrat beneficence, unions, and largess – objectively considered a Democrat voting block – are just saying, “no, that is over.”
One recent sign is the Republican victory by Hispanic candidate Mayra Flores in a special election for Texas’ 34th congressional district. She won in what Democrats imagined was “their seat,” entitlement again. That race is not an anomaly but part of a trend.
The trend goes back to 2016, accelerated in 2020, and is accelerating again. Donald Trump spoke directly to those of Hispanic descent – and he honored them. He did not speak to illegals but to citizens.
His message was clear – if you believe in the power of faith, family, freedom, and the future, if you aspire to prosper, be secure, open doors for those who follow, and are proud citizens who work hard, then you are Republican.
That message was heard. Like Reagan’s message that realigned “Blue Collar Democrats” behind Republicans in 1980 and 1984, Trump’s turned the dial. Republicans drive opportunities to Hispanic Americans, employment, job quality, wages, and broad indicia of prosperity. Trump also championed national and border security, intergenerational effort, and what Hispanic Americans came for – more opportunity and citizenship.
But there is more to this realignment. Yes, Republicans honor those who risk life for freedom (e.g., fleeing communist Cuba), work hard, have a moral compass, and believe in the American Dream.
But the GOP has become the chief defender of constitutional rights – held dear by the Hispanic community, including defense of family, free speech, “free exercise of religion,” sanctity of life, centrality of faith.
This is not a small thing. Like others, Hispanic Americans see prosperity, freedom, security, and moral compass at risk. They see Democrats pushing leftism into schools, communities, laws, even seeking to delegitimize the Supreme Court.
Democrats underestimate the damage they are doing to their brand – and to America – by pushing these radical ideas on Americans.
Many Hispanic Americans came from families that fled what Democrats now push, socialism, communism, Marxism, lawlessness, suppression of individual liberties – they do not want that.
A real trend is afoot. As Democrats move left, abandoning their past and shared constitutional underpinnings, they are losing those who believe more in the Constitution than the party.
The numbers – from 2016 to 2022 – are telling, but fresh numbers are more telling. As we approach midterms, voting trends suggest a “red wave” – assisted by Hispanic districts.
Examples are illuminating. Florida-07 – which is 22 percent Hispanic – elected Democrats in 2016, 2018, and 2020. But this is all changing. Cook Political Report predicts it flips. If so, Hispanic Americans will turn that dial – the same prediction for longtime Democrat Florida-13.
Texas-15 is instructive. Past three elections Democrat, with margins of 57, 59, and 51 percent, now tips Republican, with 82 percent Hispanic. Or Texas-28, past three Democrat, now a toss-up, 79 percent Hispanic. Or Nevada-01, Democrats won past three, now a toss-up, 44 percent Hispanic.
Big picture, the red wave is already here, and just building in height. Evidence of a nationwide Hispanic American realignment is well underway. Thus, look at Florida-26, which in 2016 elected a Republican to Congress with 55 percent, again in 2020 – 67 percent Hispanic. Or Florida-27, same trend with a Republican now – 69 percent Hispanic.
Or look at Texas-21, solidly red from 2016 forward, 30 percent Hispanic. Look at Texas-27, again solid red across the board, 52 percent Hispanic. Similarly, California-21 – with a 73 percent Hispanic population – elected a Republican to Congress in 2016, again in 2020.
Then look at shrinking blue support in places like Texas-16, Mr. Beto’s deep blue district, 81 percent Hispanic. Democrat support has dropped 20 points between 2016 and 2020.
Net-net is simple and compelling. Hispanic Americans of virtually every origin, Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, or any other location, are shifting Republican, realigning. Realignments can be slow or begin slowly and accelerate, creating major changes in a short time, and in the process, fracturing, fragmenting, forever changing parties.
Undeniable truth: On issues affecting faith, family, the sanctity of life, opportunities, returns on hard work, the importance of citizenship, self-reliance, and freedom – Hispanic Americans are reevaluating how they are treated by Democrats and by Republicans, moving to the GOP.
Hispanic American citizens are concerned for the future, as are so many others. Many are disgusted with what they see happening to churches, schools, the economy, abroad, at home, defunding police, blind eye to overdoses, open borders, lost time, and diminished respect.
Proud of who they are and where they came from, they are individuals and families with compass – not leftists, not interested in dependence. That is why many are realigning with the GOP.