In a candid statement, a Puerto Rican-born mayor in Texas shared insights on why former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator JD Vance are gaining traction among Latino voters, asserting that faith, family, and economic opportunity are at the heart of this trend.
Recent backlash over controversial remarks at a Trump rally, however, has drawn attention to Latino support, with pundits questioning how such rhetoric impacts the community’s vote.
The backlash stemmed from a performance by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City. During his routine, Hinchcliffe referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage” and made other remarks that relied on racial stereotypes.
READ: Florida Republicans Blast Tony Hinchcliffe’s Joke About Puerto Rico At Trump Rally
Many news outlets and left-wing commentators have attempted to tie these statements to Trump, a move the Puerto Rican native argues distracts from core issues driving Latino voter decisions.
“As one of the few Mayors in this country who is actually Puerto Rican (born and raised), lets get real for a moment and let me offer an explanation as to why former President Trump and Ohio. Senator JD Vance is surging in the polls amongst Latinos, and why they’ll continue to do so through election day,” said the Mayor of Keller, Texas, Armin Mizani.
“Latinos are motivated by core values, not distractions,” Mizani said. “We’ve seen the choices laid out for us over the last few years.”
Mizani emphasized the sharp contrasts Latinos see between the Biden-Harris administration and the Trump years, particularly on issues of inflation, border security, economic opportunity, and public respect for faith and family values.
READ: Al Smith Dinner Organizer Caught On Hot Mic Interrupting Jim Gaffigan During Gnarly Joke
“Under the Biden and Harris administration, Americans have seen record inflation, an open southern border, increased crime, the weakening of the family structure, and the taking away of God from our daily lives,” said Mizani.
“This is why I, along with millions of Latinos, will help re-elect President Trump back into the White House,” Mizani said, underscoring that Latino voters may play a decisive role in shaping the election outcome despite recent controversies.
Former President Trump has significantly narrowed the gap with Democrats’ longstanding support among Hispanic men, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos analysis.
Former President Trump now trails Vice President Kamala Harris by a slim 2-point margin among Hispanic men, with Harris holding 46% to Trump’s 44%.
READ: Karl Rove Breaks Down Scenario Where Trump Only Needs Pennsylvania, Georgia Or Michigan To Win
This marks a substantial shift from the 2020 election, where Trump lagged 19 points behind then-Democratic nominee Joe Biden at this same stage in the race.
The analysis draws from more than 15,000 responses to Reuters/Ipsos polls conducted over the past month, highlighting a key shift in Latino voter dynamics as Election Day nears.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.