For someone like Henry Reynoso, endorsing Donald Trump doesn’t have a connection to his Latino roots, or even to Trump’s viewpoints on immigration issues. It’s purely a reflection of his belief in better times during Trump’s initial term in office. In Reynoso’s perspective, the economy flourished during that period, a facet of life he highly values.
Reynoso’s story originated in the Dominican Republic, making him one of the numerous Latinos in Lawrence – eight out of ten to be precise. His autonomy as a barber allows him a satisfactory life under the current economic atmosphere. However, his residency in one of the state’s most impoverished cities presents him with the stark realities of his neighbors’ battles against inflation and skyrocketing housing costs.
These hardships, according to Reynoso, have influenced the majority of the Dominican diaspora he is part of, pushing them towards backing the incoming president. He remains skeptical of Biden’s capabilities as a leader. He argues that during Biden’s time in office, his focus didn’t prioritize what mattered most in their community.
Nationally, in the most recent election, Trump’s reach extended notably among Latinos. Exit polls indicate his success with Latino men, fueled by concerns about the economy, violent offenses, and unchecked immigration. These elements didn’t guide Lawrence’s overall decision – as the city decidedly elected Vice President Kamala Harris – the surge in support for Trump was significant since his initial bid, earning him 40% of the city’s votes.
Supporters of Trump often point to Biden’s management of the U.S. migrant crisis as a key point of contention. Like many others, Reynoso doesn’t harbor personal grudges against Haitians and is critical of Trump’s rhetoric on mass deportations. However, this viewpoint fails to overshadow his overall backing for Trump.
Jeovanny Rodriguez, the President of the Lawrence City Council, is a dedicated Democrat, but he contends that the Democratic party overlooks Latino voters. Wearing his political analyst’s hat, he argues that unlike white voters’ segmentation by factors like education, gender, and socio-economic class, such scrutiny isn’t upheld when examining the country’s 36 million Latino voters – a grave error, in his opinion.
The issue found relevance with Pedro Julio Bastardo, another Lawrence based barber. Although Bastardo felt that Trump’s legal complications should have discouraged his presidential aspirations, he leaned more towards the Republicans this round. The reason being his disconcertedness with the Democrats’ stance on LGBT concerns.
Carmen Báez, a hair artist, stays updated through social platforms like TikTok and WhatsApp. The present state of the U.S., according to Báez, resonates strongly with the socio-political challenges she fled in the Dominican Republic. It invokes in her a desire for a firm hand at the helm in Washington D.C.
Larry Villalobos, a restaurant owner and a Democrat supporter, advocates for the global rejection of authoritative rulers. The results of the election sparked debates about whether it indicates growing support for Trump, or a collective repudiation of the established norms.
Speculations aside, with Trump’s second term confirmed and Republican majorities cemented in Congress and the Supreme Court, Massachusetts Democrats remain optimistic. They hope their state will oppose any radical policies Trump might implement.
Regardless of whether this election indicates a significant pivot in political sentiments, Lawrence City Councilor Rodriguez believes the voters have delivered an unambiguous message. He asserts, ‘As public servants, it’s our duty to pay attention to the direction of public opinion to shape policies that accurately represent the sentiments of our constituents.’