The recent midterm elections proved to be a turning point in many states. Voters seemed inspired and the races were tight, especially in Florida where a recount was triggered. This time around, people were more enthusiastic going to the polls, and this included Florida’s Latino community which saw a voter registration increase of 6.2 percent since the 2016 presidential election. A record 2.1 million people registered to vote.
“Hispanics now make up a record 16.4% of Florida’s registered voters, up from 15.7% in 2016. The number of Hispanic registered voters has grown more than three times as fast as the overall number of registered voters in the past two years (6.2% growth vs. 1.8% growth, as of Aug. 31),” according to Pew Research.
Of these voters, Puerto Ricans are the state’s fastest-growing Hispanic-origin group over the past decade.
I’m not going whisper this I’m going to say it – race was a part of the vote in Florida. Latinos, specifically white and wealthier Latinos (but not exclusively) have a lot of racial bias, reflecting deep racial issues in Lat Am generally. Florida is a deeply segregated state too
— Lulu Garcia-Navarro (@lourdesgnavarro) November 8, 2018
When people wonder about why some Latinos seemingly vote against their self interest I will point you to a lot of smart people who could answer that question if anyone in the fact based media had cared to ask …please get some Latino experts on your shows and in your articles.
— Lulu Garcia-Navarro (@lourdesgnavarro) November 8, 2018
Or perhaps it is a lack of compassion or that compassion will cost them their precious $$$.
As was heard on yesterday's morning edition, "why are coal mines more important than having compassion for humans"?— John Dunia (@ShameDoctor1) November 8, 2018
Very true, racism is just a big a problem within Latinos as it is in American society at large. It’s just a little more nuanced.
— msimas (@msimas) November 8, 2018
So how did Florida’s Latino community, which many candidates targeted, vote during the midterms?
According to Florida’s Division of Elections, more than 2 million Hispanics registered to vote this year, 24 percent belonging to the Democratic Party while 15 percent belonged to the Republican Party.
“The results of so many races were so close that you have to open up your message to everybody, regardless of which language they speak, where they come from, or what their circumstances are,” political analyst Frank Torres told My News 13.
Gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum won the majority of the Latino vote with 56 percent, according to My News 13 Decision 2018 exit poll. Opponent Republican Ron DeSantis had just 42 percent of Hispanic votes.
This can be blamed on Trump, said Torres.
“A lot of Hispanics sort of feel like they’re on the outside of the Donald Trump message. I don’t think a lot have been able to connect with the president the way the White House would want them to,” he said.
The race for the Florida U.S. Senate seat showed 55 percent of the Latino vote went to Democratic candidate Bill Nelson. Republican Rick Scott got 44 percent of the Hispanic vote.
“… One interesting that you’re seeing each election cycle is the candidates themselves are speaking Spanish, even though it’s not their first language. They’re attempting to make that connection with Hispanic voters, and whether the language or the delivery is perfect or not, it’s still endearing and a way to connect with Hispanic voters,” Torres said.
A large amount of new Hispanic voters registered chose “No Party Affiliation.”
I’m not going whisper this I’m going to say it – race was a part of the vote in Florida. Latinos, specifically white and wealthier Latinos (but not exclusively) have a lot of racial bias, reflecting deep racial issues in Lat Am generally. Florida is a deeply segregated state too
— Lulu Garcia-Navarro (@lourdesgnavarro) November 8, 2018
You mean Older Cubans that align themselves with the Republican Party. They are voting against their on interests. It’s a shame when Floridians vote for party over country. Especially those racist bastards that are all about the military, there are blacks Latinos that serve.
— Aldo aguilar (@Aldoaguilar561) November 8, 2018
Latino turnout up 174% in 2018 midterms elections, Democrats say—Latino vote was especially consequential in a handful of House races across demographically diverse Sun Belt battlegrounds: Nevada, Arizona, Florida and Texas. https://t.co/mYRLmKO0K8
— Thirdcloud (@thirdcloud) November 14, 2018