With only weeks left before the U.S. presidential election, Kamala Harris is intensifying her outreach to Black and Latino voters.
Although she currently leads among these groups, some Democrats caution that she must do more to energize them for the November vote.
This concern arises from recent polls suggesting that her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, is successfully appealing to Black and Latino voters, continuing the momentum he gained in 2016 and 2020.
A New York Times/Siena poll revealed that Harris has 78% support among Black voters, a decline from the roughly 90% support Democrats have seen in recent elections, with the drop largely driven by male voters.
This could be pivotal in a race expected to be decided by very narrow margins. Even if the polling isn't entirely accurate, modest increases in support among Black and Latino voters in key battleground states could ultimately sway the results.
In Arizona, for instance, nearly one in four voters on November 5 is anticipated to be Latino, with around 20% in nearby Nevada. In Georgia, Black voters make up about 30% of the electorate. These are substantial numbers in critical states.
So, what might be driving Trump’s apparent increase in support among these voters?
Economics Take Center Stage.
The economy, especially issues like inflation and the cost of living, is the top concern for most voters.
This holds true for many Black and Latino voters, with the New York Times reporting that a significant majority from both groups are dissatisfied with the current state of the American economy.
One such voter is Quenton Jordan, a 30-year-old resident of Virginia who previously supported Barack Obama but has backed Trump since he entered the political arena in 2016.
It’s those tangible pressures, like the rising cost of goods, that make people feel the strain. It’s just getting harder for me,he added.
In Nevada, a state known for its mixed political landscape and significant Latino population, Las Vegas resident Lydia Dominguez noted that many Latinos "remember the economy under Trump." She pointed out that economic concerns have removed the stigma around supporting the former president.
They can’t afford to live. That’s a major factor,” she told the BBC. “It’s no longer taboo to support him.
Even some voters leaning toward Harris recognize that "pocketbook" issues have swayed opinions in their communities. Diego Arancivia, a former Republican voter in Nevada who now supports Harris, remarked, “Many people in my community are switching. A lot will vote for Trump based solely on economics.”
They might not want to hang out with him, but they believe he has the tools to improve their economic situation.
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| Donald Trump saw increased support from Latino voters in both the 2016 and 2020 elections. |
Immigration and Border Issues.
Reflecting the sentiments of the broader U.S. electorate, both Black and Latino voters have voiced concerns about immigration and the Biden administration’s handling of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Strong border security and a commitment to deporting millions of undocumented migrants are key components of Trump’s campaign platform. This message has resonated with some Black and Latino voters, who perceive the border situation as chaotic and dangerous under Biden and, by extension, Harris.
Rolando Rodriguez, a Trump supporter and former Democrat from Texas, remarked on the impact of record migrant crossings in recent years, saying, “I live so close to the border, and I’ve never seen a disaster like what we’ve experienced under Kamala and Biden.”
Similarly, Quenton Jordan, the Black voter from Virginia, expressed concern that asylum seekers and other foreign nationals are “taking resources that the Black community has been asking for for decades.”
Trump addressed this issue directly, stating that the “invasion” of undocumented migrants has a “huge negative impact” on Black and Latino communities.
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| Some Black voters, including Quenton Jordan left point to inflation as the main reason for their support of Trump. |
Social Issues.
Political science professor Quadricos Driskell noted that Black male voters, in particular, have distanced themselves from what they perceive as the Democratic Party's "embrace" of social agendas that conflict with their views.
There’s a perception that there has been an assault on masculinity and its meaning,” he explained. “That’s something some Black male voters are pushing back against.
It’s not necessarily the party itself,” he added, “but rather the voters within the party and the language used around human sexuality and gender.
This sentiment was echoed by 49-year-old Clarence Pauling, a Black voter from South Carolina. As a barbershop owner and former police officer, he feels the Republican Party’s views align more closely with his own religious beliefs regarding gender and sexuality.
You can’t create your own agenda,” he said about the Democrats. “If you’re going to lead a whole country, you should lead them the right way.
As Trump engaged with Black and Latino voters at a town hall in Pennsylvania, Harris intensified her outreach by unveiling a list of policy proposals branded as an opportunity agenda for Black men.
She also plans to meet with Black entrepreneurs in key swing states and speak with prominent Black media figures, including radio host Charlamagne Tha God, at an event in Detroit.
In contrast, Trump pointed to recent polling, stating, Our poll numbers have gone through the roof with Black and Hispanic voters. And I like that.
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