Washington, D.C. – Mandela Barnes and Democrats in Wisconsin are completely out of touch with Hispanic voters, who care about the real issues impacting them. Operación ¡Vamos! in Wisconsin – and across the country – is focused on sharing the GOP’s opportunity agenda for hardworking families and help Republicans take back the majority this November.
PBS Wisconsin: Why Hispanic voters are a focus in Wisconsin’s 2022 election
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Like every election season, campaigns are getting out and talking to voters. But the 2022 midterm elections have a particular focus on the Hispanic and Latino vote in Wisconsin.
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“Hispanic voters have been taken for granted by Democrats,” said Florida U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee and launched the Operación ¡Vamos! campaign in nine battleground states.
“They don’t have to get all Latino votes to win elections. They just have to get enough to deny the Democrats an election,” said Marquez.
Conservatives believe they have more to offer based on the top issues for Hispanic and Latino voters.
“Number one is jobs. Number two is jobs. And, that’s number three as well,” Marquez said.
“It’s their livelihood, it’s their faith, it’s their kids. And it’s the safety of their community is what they’re focused on,” said Scott.
Republicans have a few strategies in their campaign. The first is on issues. At the doors in south Milwaukee, Helder Toste doesn’t need to prompt anyone about candidates, elections or even the Republican Party. He simply asks what is important in their lives.
“No han hecho nada. No han hecho nada y de verdad que hay muchos como accidentes aquí en este camino, corren los carros muy rápido, como si fueran en un freeway, y de verdad es peligroso para los niños como salen a jugar y de repente se le va el balón,” said Milwaukee resident Gaudencia Ruiz, “y un carro pasa es muy duro. Claro y eso es muy peligroso.”
[“They haven’t done anything and there are a lot of accidents here on this road, cars drive fast like it was a freeway. And truly, it’s dangerous. They come out to play, and suddenly the ball goes,” said Milwaukee resident Gaudencia Ruiz, “and a car is going by and it’s very serious. Very dangerous.”]
“Tengo, como, un hijo que es hiperactivo, es clase especial, y quitaron todo esos, esa ayuda de clases especiales,” Ruiz added.
[“I have a son who is hyperactive, in a special class, and they got rid of all this help from the special classes in public school,” Ruiz added.]
“Asaltos, balaceras, robos,” said Milwaukee resident Juana Grimaldo. “Ha subido mucho.”
[“Assaults, shootings, robberies,” said Milwaukee resident Juana Grimaldo. “It’s increased a lot.”]
Grimaldo continued: “Más que nada la seguridad porque ya, a veces uno está viendo lo que está pasando y uno se preocupa por los hijos.”
[Grimaldo continued: “More than anything it’s safety because sometimes you’re seeing what is happening, and you start to worry about your children.”]
The second strategy points a finger at the party currently in power.
“Tú cómo piensas que ha hecho el trabajo el presidente, buen trabajo, mal, buen trabajo o mal trabajo?” Toste asked.
[“Do you think the president has done his job? Good job? Or bad job?” Toste asked.]
“Mal trabajo, porque no ha cumplido lo que prometió,” Grimaldo replied.
[“A bad job, because he hasn’t accomplished what he promised,” Grimaldo replied.]
“They need results more than they need party loyalty,” noted Marquez.
And finally, perhaps most essential, you have to show up.
“En su vida, que ha vivido aquí veinte años, alguien que se ha llamado o contactado un partido político?,” asked Toste.
[“In your life, that you’ve lived here for 20 years, has a political party ever called you or contacted you?” asked Toste.]
“Nada,” replied Grimaldo
[“Nothing,” replied Grimaldo.]
“Y tu que piensas que eso sale de que?” Toste asked.
[“And where do you think that comes from?” Toste asked.]
“Pues, verdad de que como somos mexicanos,” Grimaldo replied.
[“Well, truly because we’re Mexicans,” Grimaldo replied.]
“No nos hacen caso,” said Toste.
[“They don’t pay attention to us,” said Toste.]
“No nos hacen caso,” said Grimaldo.
[“They don’t pay attention to us,” said Grimaldo.]
“Hispanic voters are way more inclined to vote Republican as long as Republicans reach out to and talk to them,” said Scott. “Hispanic voters are fed up with the public school system around the country right now. They want a better economic market. They don’t want to see inflation. They want to live in safe communities … if we talk about those issues, then we’re going to win elections.”
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The Hispanic and Latino population has been one of the fastest growing in the United States, making this shifting voting bloc all the more crucial.
“For the last 30 years in Wisconsin, Latinos have been the largest segment of growth,” noted Neumann-Ortiz.
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“But, we have to show up. Republican candidates have to show up and we have to talk to voters — all voters,” said Scott.
“If they make an inroad into the Latino population,” said Marquez, “they’ve got a winning formula.”
Read the full article HERE.
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