President Biden's popularity among young and Hispanic voters is dwindling, according to recent polls, while former President Trump seems to be gaining traction, potentially setting the stage for a rematch.
This shift in voter sentiment is attributed to the resonance of the conservative message among these demographics, as well as the impact of Biden's policies on their everyday lives.
Monet Flores-Bacs, strategic director at the New Mexico-based nonprofit LIBRE Initiative, spoke on behalf of Hispanic voters, stating, "[The conservative] message is really resonating with us." She expressed her concerns about the Biden administration's policies, saying, "Unfortunately, Biden's policies for Hispanics, for most Democrats, it's worked in the past, but we're feeling it at the grocery store, we're feeling it at the gas station. Even in just the last election, tax policy didn't affect even myself and other young voters the way that they do this election, so we're feeling it in our bank account at the grocery store. We're going to vote based on that."
Flores-Bacs further noted that the conservative message tends to strike a chord with traditional Hispanic families. This sentiment is supported by a USA Today/Suffolk University poll from late December, which showed Biden trailing Trump by five points among 1,000 likely Hispanic voters. A Univision poll also indicated a 4% increase in Trump's support among Hispanic voters compared to a poll from January 2021.
Pedro Rodriguez, a correspondent at Campus Reform, echoed Flores-Bacs' sentiments. He stated, "The answer lies within the pocketbooks. Hispanics are entrepreneurs, and with Biden's America right now, Hispanics are struggling to stay afloat and Hispanic small businesses and the entrepreneurial spirit is dying." He criticized Biden's leftist policies, stating, "Under Biden's leadership, leftist policies have hurt young Americans. Financial insecurity is among the highest it's ever been with young Hispanics. And young Hispanics are going to flock behind the candidate they can support and champion working-class families, reduce inflation and pave the way for better economic and entrepreneurial opportunities here in the United States and not desecrate the American way of life."
Both Flores-Bacs and Rodriguez emphasized the need for immigration reform, a recurring grievance since Biden assumed office, as migrants continue to cross the southern border into the U.S. Rodriguez described illegal immigration as a "huge insult" to those who entered the U.S. legally.
Flores-Bacs stressed the importance of safety in immigration reform, stating, "We as Hispanics want immigration reform, but we also want safety. When my dad came to this country, he wanted opportunity. He wanted the right to start a business and have a career, have quality education. But again, being safe. So, this is a really important issue that all candidates this next election season needs to be focused on."
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