Politics
Latino Evangelicals Are a Growing Voting Bloc, Could Play a Role in November’s Election
Latinos are one of the fastest growing minority groups in the country, and the demographic has become a key voting bloc to secure a candidate’s path to the White House. However, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris may need to court a lesser-known subgroup to win in November: Latino evangelicals.
They’re a budding religious demographic in the country that tends to lean conservative and aligns closely with anti-abotion stances, pro-nuclear-family policies and spreading the word of Jesus Christ.
Today, 15% of Latinos identify with the faith.
Patricia Ruiz-Cantu, a Milwaukee organizer with Evangélicos Con Harris, was in Chicago during the Democratic National Convention to show support for the nominee.
“I prayed to be there (the Democratic National Convention),” she said, “and I was there to make sure there was a space for God and a space for prayer.”
Ruiz-Cantu cites Harris’ commitment to addressing issues like health care, immigration and education as central to her decision.
The Wisconsin resident immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico for an educational opportunity, and acknowledges the sacrifice other Latinos have made for the nation.
“Latinos are the feet and hands of this country,” Ruiz-Cantu said. “... When I look at who is going to be representing this country, I’m looking at the person who’s talking about unity.”
The Rev. Javier Gonzalez of El Verbo de Dios, which translates to the word of God, is supporting Trump this fall. The pastor credits the Trump administration for enabling him to support his community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gonzalez is also a small business owner and believes Trump has the best economic policies to benefit other business owners.
The El Verbo de Dios church is active in supporting the city’s newest asylum seekers by helping families find shelter, get food and look for jobs.
“We’re doing the footwork,” Gonzalez said.
However, the pastor is not a fan of Trump’s more controversial rhetoric about immigrants from the southern border and doesn’t see him as a savior.
“Is he perfect? I don’t expect perfection,” Gonzalez said. “As a man of God, I have to pray for discernment. The church’s role is not so much to go to the voting polls as naturally would think, the church’s role is to pray.”
