Latino voters helped put Trump back in the White House. What’s their next move?

Casa Grande, Arizona, serves as a microcosm for the challenges faced by Latino voters who backed Donald Trump in the 2024 election. Chris Martinez, a 28-year-old maintenance technician, is among many who feel duped by the president's promises of economic prosperity and peace. While gas prices have skyrocketed and tensions with Iran have escalated, Martinez believes Trump has failed to deliver on his campaign promises.

As Latinos have shifted away from Trump and his Republican Party, Democrats are looking to capitalize on this shift. In heavily Latino districts across states like Arizona, Colorado, and Texas, Democrats are counting on disaffected Trump supporters to return to the Democratic fold. However, it remains uncertain whether these voters have fully aligned themselves with the Democrats.

In Arizona's 6th Congressional District, Republican incumbent Juan Ciscomani and Democratic challenger JoAnna Mendoza are vying for a third term. Ciscomani is subtly distancing himself from Trump, highlighting his immigrant background and framing himself as independent and bipartisan. Mendoza, on the other hand, emphasizes her own humble origins as the daughter of immigrant farmworkers.

Nationwide, about 60% of Hispanic voters disapprove of Trump's handling of the presidency and his performance on the economy. This potential shift away from Republicans could be driven by anti-Trump sentiment rather than a newfound love for Democrats. Latinos are in the midst of a "dealignment," rejecting strong associations with both parties due to their inability to effectively address working-class economic concerns.

While 55% of Latinos have an unfavorable view of the Republican Party, their views of the Democratic Party are more mixed, with 38% holding a favorable view.