Disappointed Latino voters in Nevada shift loyalties to Republican party

Maria Salinas, a Las Vegas market worker, is of the opinion that the majority of the conventionally Democratic Latino voters have deviated to the Republican side for the first time as the Democrats have been ineffective in retaining the Latino voter bank. 

Expressing her disappointment in Democrats, she said: "I think Trump can change things a little," while speaking to AFP at the juice stand she runs in the electoral battleground state of Nevada.

The Democrats offer "promises and promises but nothing changes for us," said Salinas, whose relatives have been waiting for years to receive the legal right to move to the United States.

"This time I'm going to vote for Trump to see if he helps us."

Latinos are the second-largest ethnic group in the United States, and represent 22% of voters in Nevada.

That share has grown rapidly to become a vital factor in the southwestern swing state's elections, as thousands of immigrants are lured each year by the promise of work at Las Vegas' flashy casinos and hotels.

Democrats have won every presidential election in Nevada since 2008. But barely two weeks before this year's election, Harris leads Trump in Nevada by just half a point in polling averages.

"I've never understood why they always insist that Latinos have to be Democrats," said Las Vegas restaurant owner Javier Barajas.

"The Democrats have never helped us at all," adds the Mexican man, who crossed the border in the 1980's and ended up by accident in the gambling metropolis.

Barajas built his gastronomic empire from scratch, but says the highlight of his "American Dream" story was hosting both Trump and President Joe Biden at his restaurants earlier this year.

Shaking hands with Biden just before he stepped down as the Democratic nominee was "very pleasant, an honour."

But meeting Trump "was more than an honour, because he is the right person for this country," said Barajas.

The restaurateur proudly shows off a pair of gold-coloured sneakers bearing a Trump logo, a gift from the former president's visit.

With this election, for the first time, Barajas is ready to publicly call himself a Republican voter.

"Now, yes, I say it. Because I am very upset with the Democrats and all their promises," he said.

"It's time to tell them, 'OK, enough. We do not agree with you.' They need to take us more seriously."

'The criminals'

While Latinos in the United States overall continue to lean toward the Democratic Party, that national margin has narrowed.

In 2012, a whopping 71% of Latinos voted Democrat, compared to 27% Republican.

By 2020, the gap had closed to 66% Democrat and 32% Republican.

A recent UnidosUS poll indicates just 57% of Latinos are leaning toward Harris, and 34% Trump.

Some Latino voters blame the current Democratic administration for the rising cost of living, and are disaffected by its immigration and border policies.

Barajas, for example, believes Trump's promises of mass deportations if he reaches the White House will only impact "the criminals."

"He will not go after the workers," said Barajas, who spoke personally with Trump for around 10 minutes during the former president's visit.

While he discussed with Trump how many Latinos despise his anti-immigration rhetoric, Barajas does not take it personally. And he is not alone.

A majority of US Hispanics believe Trump is not talking about them when he accuses immigrants of eating pets, being criminals, and "infecting the blood" of the country, according to a major New York Times poll this month.

'Immigrant parents'

Harris' ascension to the Democratic nomination appears to have improved her party's standing in the presidential race among Latinos, at least compared to Biden.

"She is the child of immigrant parents," said Ricardo Fernandez, 54.

He thinks the Democrats just need to communicate their message better to Hispanics.

"Many Latinos are not well informed" about the threat posed by Trump, he added.

"It is really important that the Hispanic community pays attention to what is at stake. We are talking about one candidate who wants to help the middle class, and another whose plan is to strengthen millionaires and billionaires, so where does that leave Latinos? How many Latinos are millionaires in the United States?" he asked.

That is a widely held concern in North Las Vegas, a Latino stronghold and home to the sprawling, colourful Broadacres Market.

There, predominantly Hispanic workers like Salinas express concerns ranging from the economy to struggles with getting legal documents and status.

Carlos Reyes, 57, who runs a clothing stand, says he feels more inclined to support Harris because "she started like everyone else, from the bottom."

But even he remains undecided, just days before he will cast his vote.