Kamala Harris Intensifies Efforts to Engage Black and Latino Voters

With only weeks remaining until the US presidential election, Vice President Kamala Harris is increasing her outreach to Black and Latino voters.

Although she currently enjoys strong support from both demographics, some Democrats are urging her to enhance efforts to mobilize these voters ahead of the November election.

Recent polling indicates that Harris’s Republican opponent, Donald Trump, is making inroads with Black and Latino voters, building on the gains he achieved in 2016 and 2020.

A New York Times and Siena poll showed Harris with 78% support among Black voters, significantly lower than the approximately 90% support Democrats have typically garnered in recent elections, with the drop particularly pronounced among Black men.

This trend could be critical in a race likely to be decided by narrow margins. Even if the polling proves inaccurate, modest shifts among Black and Latino voters in key battleground states could have a substantial impact on the election outcome.

In Arizona, nearly one in four voters on November 5 is expected to be Latino, while almost 20% of voters in nearby Nevada will belong to the same group. In Georgia, Black voters represent about 30% of the electorate—significant numbers in these crucial states.

What’s Behind Trump’s Gains?

Economic Concerns Take Center Stage

The economy, especially issues related to inflation and the cost of living, remains the top concern for many voters, including Black and Latino communities. The New York Times suggests a considerable portion of both groups is dissatisfied with the current economic climate.

Quenton Jordan, a 30-year-old Virginia resident who previously voted for Barack Obama, has backed Trump since 2016. He expressed frustration over economic pressures: “Inflation has made it nearly impossible for people to provide basic necessities for their families.”

“It’s tangible issues like this that lead people to feel the pressure from rising costs,” he added.

In Nevada, which has a significant Latino population, Lydia Dominguez noted that many Latino voters “remember the economy under Trump.” She emphasized that economic worries have reduced the stigma around supporting the former president: “They can’t afford to live. That’s a really big part of it. It’s no longer taboo to support him.”

Even some voters leaning towards Harris recognize that “pocketbook” issues are influencing voters in their communities. Diego Arancivia, a former Republican voter in Nevada now supporting Harris, stated, “Many people in my community are switching. Lots will vote for Trump based solely on economics. They might not want to socialize with him, but they believe he has the tools to improve their financial situation.”