There is a palpable divide among some, who find Donald J. Trump’s relentless criticism of immigrants unbearable, yet others seem ready to extend their support to a candidate they think can improve their financial situation. A couple of months back, Javier Barajas played host to the former President Donald J. Trump at Il Toro E La Capra, his one of five restaurants situated in Las Vegas. Having previously extended his support to Hillary Clinton during her presidential run in 2008 and having welcomed President Biden to one of his other establishments, he is now endorsing Mr. Trump. Primarily, his decision has been influenced by the inflated prices of everything from the raw materials for his dishes to the fuel for his food truck.
Javier’s nephew, Justin Favela, was in the process of creating a classic Mexican folk art piece from tissue paper, when he started receiving startled and angry text messages from friends and family who had seen the news of Mr. Trump’s visit on social media and local television. He shares similar economic uncertainties to his uncle, like escalating rents, rising prices for art supplies, and existing student loans, all contributing to the stress regarding his financial future. Yet, his vote will cautiously be cast for Vice President Kamala Harris, primarily motivated by Mr. Trump’s increasingly harsh and racially charged depictions of immigrants akin to his own family members.
Even amidst economic concerns, Mr. Favela has chosen not to vote for Trump due to his apprehensions regarding the harsh immigration policies and an evident focus on financial profits. The ex-president has repeatedly woven his economic discourse, suggesting that Americans would experience a better lifestyle under his second administration, into his increasingly aggressive, plain nativist attacks on undocumented immigrants. His frequent assertions that migrants are the reason for Black and Latino Americans not securing jobs and housing is devoid of any evidentiary support.
However, Trump’s messaging, in the final weeks of campaigning, seems to be resonating among Latino voters in Nevada. Interactions with about two dozen such voters, of differing ideological persuasions, have exposed similar divides among friends and family regarding their choice of candidate. There are some who, in spite of their financial concerns, find Trump’s relentless critique of immigrants disturbing. However, others are ready to bypass his incitements and support a contender they believe will enhance their economic prospects.
Nevada’s economy, heavily reliant on the service sector, faced a significant blow due to the pandemic. Although the recovery phase has been robust, the state still battles with the highest unemployment rate across the country. Even basic commodities like fuel and groceries are becoming increasingly expensive. For individuals like Mr. Barajas, an egg crate’s cost, which houses 200 eggs, has more than tripled in the past three years. Despite these challenges, he finds himself standing by Mr. Trump as he believes he would be the right fit for the nation.
Latino voters have greatly contributed to the Democratic victories in Nevada over the past two decades. While many might appreciate Trump’s economic policies, they are not prepared to compromise their principles and risk American democracy. Trump’s support among Latino voters saw an increase from 2016 to 2020, a fact supported by Pew Research Center data. However, recent polling indicates strong support for Vice President Kamala Harris among Latino voters, especially the women.
Interestingly, these polls also showed that Mr. Trump’s escalating attacks on immigrants had failed to sway Latino voters towards Ms. Harris. Some even seemed open to Trump’s policy inclinations such as the construction of a wall across the US-Mexico border and the deportation of immigrants. The Latino voting populace, which constitutes approximately 20 percent of Nevada’s electorate, is a crucial deciding factor in this swing state, and both candidates are earnestly striving to win their endorsements.
As the election day is fast approaching, the contenders are tailoring their campaigns to appeal to these decisive voters. Recognizing that economical and border security topics might favor Mr. Trump, Harris’ campaign is emphasizing that she would offer a more consistent and reliable alternative on these two significant matters. Her campaign also emphasizes her commitment to address skyrocketing prices and make housing more accessible and affordable.