With the dust still settling, President Trump did surprisingly well among Latino voters in Texas, winning 41 percent. “Analysts” tell us the reasons include a late Biden ground game and the Democrats being smeared as socialists. But is the conventional wisdom correct? Both parties should be motivated to dig deep and learn the true reasons why an alleged racist like Trump gained support from Tejanos.
The socialist accusation may have worked in Florida, but most Tejanos are not from Cuba or Venezuela. Eighty-two percent of Hispanic voters in Texas identify as Mexican-American. Latino voters were exposed to anti-Trump vitriol daily for the last four years—nothing last-minute about that.
Most Latinos in Texas are connected to immigrants. They are in our extended families, we live and shop among them, and we go to church or school with them.
The average Latino family in Texas gained approximately $5,000 in annual income under Trump. Money sent home to families in Mexico tripled during Trump’s four years. The so-called Affordable Care Act prohibited undocumented immigrants from buying health insurance with their own money. “Children in cages” may have worked for woke white and black liberals, but we know better. Tejanos know that Obama/Biden built the cages and remember well that they deported 2.8 million people, our friends and family. This permanent separation of families was vastly more than what occurred during Trump’s four years. It’s ironic that Latino voters in South Texas, where the detention centers are located, broke for Trump in record numbers—in some places, as much as a 50 percent swing.
Immigrants come here looking for peace and stability. The countries we fled are corrupt and violent. We know that violent mobs, looting, and arson are disastrous. Our biggest concerns include security. We were alarmed when the left threatened to defund the police.
Conservative-leaning Hispanics were very active in campaigns. Block walking efforts were organized and disciplined. They had a lot of momentum despite the coronavirus. The Hispanic Republican Club of North Texas had volunteers that were Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, Peruvians, Colombians, and Salvadorans.
Long-term Hispanic residents of Texas have seen the decline of African-American families since the 1960s when marriage rates, fathers in the homes, and dual incomes were all better than they are today. Family is most important to Latinos. There is fear that Democrat policies are causing a decline in our communities. Surveys indicate Hispanics favor school choice. We fear the slippery slope of fatherless homes, government dependency, and trans-generational poverty. Latino culture is one of honor-shame and aspiration. Few pundits address this.
Most Latinos are Catholic, but a significant number are now Protestants. Both groups tend to be pro-life. Hispanics were aware of Kamala Harris’ documented, anti-Catholic bigotry. Informed voters know that Joe Biden is banned from holy communion and that while voters of faith tend to vote Republican, voters of no faith vote overwhelmingly for Democrats. These are facts, and they are indisputable.
Finally, the undiscussed harsh truth: Honest veterans of local politics across Texas acknowledge there is a stiff, unspoken competition between the browns and the blacks. Chicano activists have long resented the organization and dominance in local politics by African-American activists; there is bitter competition for limited resources. Hispanic voters witnessed the Democrats’ embrace of the BLM movement and endorsement of destruction and violent optics. Many thought now is the time to seek alternatives. Unwittingly, Democrats sealed their own fate.
Latino voters went to the polls and finally voted for something different. If heavily Latino, deep blue South Texas can see such a shift, perhaps the urban centers are next.
This is a commentary published with the author’s permission. If you wish to submit a commentary to Texas Scorecard, please submit your article to submission@texasscorecard.com.
