Axios House: Latino voters believe Trump, J.D. Vance help provide the American dream

MILWAUKEE – Latino GOP voters can relate to Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance's personal "American dream" story and lean towards former President Trump over President Biden, two Republican lawmakers said in an interview at an Axios House event.

• Catch up quick: Axios House hosted an event during the week of the Republican National Convention on Tuesday about the power of Latino voters, through a media partnership with Noticias Telemundo.
• Next month, Axios House will host events at the Democratic National Convention with Democratic party leaders.

Florida Rep. Maria Salazar said Vance's modest upbringing allows Hispanics to identify with him.

• "Vance was able to escape poverty in a very difficult rural area in Ohio. Not only that, he had a very cruel and difficult childhood that you know sometimes can cripple a person. And he had the internal fortitude to come out of that."
• "We Hispanics, we can look up to him and say, 'Well if he did it, we can too,' because the opportunity is there. Because this country gives you that opportunity."

The Latino voter population is increasing and is projected to account for 14.7 percent of all eligible voters in November. Of that group, young Hispanic voters account for roughly 31 percent of the eligible demographic.

• "The younger population– they don't connect with Biden and one of the reasons has to do with age. So I believe that Hispanics, españols, especially young ones will be connecting with President Trump this cycle," said Texas Rep. Monica De La Cruz.

In fact, De La Cruz said the attempted assassination over the weekend increased Latino support for Trump, calling what happened "political persecution."

• "Many families…fled Latin America because of political persecution. And to see it happen to President Trump in the United States of America, the greatest country on the planet, they say 'No jamás. We want the American dream, we want a safe country and we will not tolerate this.'"

A new Axios Vibes survey by The Harris Poll reveals that Latinos lean towards supporting Trump because of the opportunity he brings to rebrand the GOP around "upward mobility" for Latinos.

• Republican Latinos' strongly believe in being able to work hard to achieve the American dream, which is an idea Trump campaigns on.
• "There is an outdated portrait of the Republican party among Latinos to some extent; they do see a 15-point gap largely on being out of touch with ordinary workers or being perceived as sort of the party for big business. But you insert the candidates into this, it's a different discussion," said John Gerzema, The Harris Poll CEO.
• "I think at the end it's who can deliver the American dream," said Alfonso Aguilar, director of Hispanic engagement for the American Principles Project and Political Analyst for Voz Media. "Republicans and independents believe the majority that Trump is in a better position with his policies to lower inflation and provide a better life for their families."