Vice President Kamala Harris recently addressed a gathering of Latino leaders, emphasizing the critical role of Hispanic voters in the upcoming election. Speaking at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's annual leadership conference on September 13, 2024, Harris urged attendees to help mobilize Latino voters, recognizing their pivotal influence in several swing states.
The vice president's appeal comes at a time when the campaign is intensifying its efforts to engage Hispanic voters. Recent polling data indicates a 14-point lead for Harris among Latino likely voters, with 55% supporting her compared to 41% for her opponent. However, this represents a decrease from the 33-point margin achieved in the 2020 election, highlighting the need for renewed outreach efforts.
To address this, the Harris campaign has launched a comprehensive strategy to connect with Latino voters. This includes a $3 million investment in Spanish-language radio advertisements during Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15, 2024. Additionally, the campaign has organized events featuring prominent surrogates across the country, aiming to energize the Hispanic electorate.
Immigration reform emerged as a central topic in Harris's address. She advocated for a balanced approach, stating, "We can both create an earned pathway to citizenship and ensure our border is secure." This stance aims to address concerns from both liberal and conservative voters while emphasizing the importance of humane immigration policies.
The vice president also highlighted the significance of reproductive rights for Latina voters. Noting that approximately 40% of Latinas reside in states with abortion bans following the Supreme Court's 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Harris pledged to sign legislation restoring federal protections for abortion rights if elected.
"We must also reform our broken immigration system and protect our dreamers. And understand, we can do both — create an earned pathway to citizenship and ensure our border is secure. We can do both, and we must do both."
Harris's personal background as a Californian and daughter of immigrants has been a key element in her outreach to Latino voters. California, her home state, boasts the largest Latino population in the United States, providing her with a unique perspective on issues affecting the Hispanic community.
The importance of the Latino vote in the 2024 election cannot be overstated. With the Hispanic electorate projected to be the largest racial or ethnic minority group in the upcoming presidential election, their support could prove decisive in battleground states such as Arizona, Nevada, and Pennsylvania.
As the campaign enters its final weeks before the November 5 election, the Harris team continues to emphasize issues of particular concern to Latino voters, including immigration reform, economic opportunities, and access to healthcare. The success of these outreach efforts could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of what is expected to be a closely contested race.