Title: Latino Survey: Nevada Backs Harris, but Margin with Trump Narrows from 2020
Latino voters in Nevada are showing a strong preference for Vice President Kamala Harris over former President Donald Trump, according to a recent survey conducted by the nonprofit organization UnidosUS. The survey revealed that Harris now holds a 23-point lead over Trump among registered Hispanic voters in the state.
Economic Concerns at the Forefront
One of the key findings of the survey is that Latino voters in Nevada are particularly concerned about economic issues, with inflation and healthcare costs topping their list of worries. This focus on economic matters has influenced their political preferences, with a majority of respondents expressing greater trust in Democrats on issues related to the economy and healthcare compared to Republicans.
Support for Harris and Democrats
The survey indicated that only 34% of Latino voters in Nevada support Trump, aligning with previous polls that have shown Harris gaining traction among the Silver State’s Latino population. This margin of support for Harris nearly matches the 26-point lead that President Joe Biden had with Latino voters in the state during the 2020 election, as reported by exit polls.
Shift in Latino Voting Patterns
In the 2020 election, UnidosUS data showed that Biden captured 75% of the Latino vote in Nevada, indicating a narrower margin this time around. The survey results for the state’s U.S. Senate race also remain consistent, with 55% of Latino voters backing Democratic Senator Jacky Rosen, compared to 24% supporting Republican candidate Sam Brown.
Latino Voters as Key Players
With Latino voters making up nearly one-fifth of Nevada’s eligible voter population, their preferences hold significant weight in determining electoral outcomes. Both Harris and Trump have intensified their outreach efforts to attract Latino support, including direct appeals to the local Culinary Union 226, where a majority of members identify as Latino.
Latino Concerns and Policy Preferences
The survey conducted in August gathered insights from 2,800 eligible Latino voters in eight battleground states, including Nevada. In addition to economic concerns, the data revealed that a majority of Latino respondents in Nevada strongly support raising the minimum wage for all workers and ensuring adequate funding for schools. Furthermore, a large majority expressed support for continued access to abortion services.
Opportunities for Engagement
Despite being a sizable portion of the state’s electorate, over half of the surveyed Latino voters indicated that no political campaign had reached out to them. This presents a significant opportunity for candidates to engage with this demographic and address their policy priorities. The data also showed a substantial number of first-time Latino voters participating in this year’s presidential election, highlighting the potential for increased political engagement within the community.
Future Outlook
As the political landscape in Nevada continues to evolve, the Democratic Party remains well-positioned to capitalize on Latino voter support. However, the survey findings suggest that there is room for improvement in engaging with this critical demographic. With the Latino community poised to play a pivotal role in shaping electoral outcomes, both parties must prioritize outreach efforts to effectively connect with this diverse and influential voting bloc.