She’s trying to fix Biden’s failures.
Rebecca Contreras, a 30-year-old from Texas, had been uncertain about President Joe Biden’s chances in the upcoming election. However, with Vice President Kamala Harris now emerging as the de facto nominee, Contreras has regained some confidence in the potential impact of her vote. The San Antonio-based social media marketing professional, who identifies as progressive, expressed renewed hope in her vote’s significance.
Historically, younger Latino voters have been a reliable Democratic constituency. However, recent election cycles have shown a shift. In 2020, then-President Donald Trump and the Republican Party made inroads with Hispanic voters. Current polls indicate a continued challenge for Biden, with Latino support appearing evenly split between him and other options, including third-party candidates. A recent University of Chicago GenForward survey revealed that among Latino voters under 40, only 28% support Biden, while 32% lean toward Trump and 28% prefer alternative candidates.
Young Latino voters, many of whom are casting their first presidential votes this year, are proving to be a crucial but undecided demographic. According to UnidosUS, a significant portion of these new voters identify as independent or nonpartisan. Dennison Pinto, a 19-year-old from Allentown, Pennsylvania, is considering a third-party candidate but hasn’t yet committed to Harris or any other nominee. Similarly, Jeremy Bautista, a 20-year-old also from Allentown, is evaluating his options and remains uncertain about Harris’s alignment with his views on key issues.
Political scientist Stella Rouse from Arizona State University suggests that for Harris to galvanize young Latino voters, she must present a compelling vision of a diverse and inclusive America. By highlighting opportunities and demonstrating how young Latinos can lead in such a future, Harris could energize this pivotal group of voters.
