Candidates woo Latino voters, ignore immigration reform
Latinos account for about 20 percent of Colorados population and about 14 percent of its voters. The group presents a major player in the states most contentious elections.
But while Republicans and Democrats alike are working hard to attract these voters, neither party is pushing the issue that is highly important to many of them: immigration reform.
Do you hear anyone talking about immigration reform anymore? asked Floyd Ciruli, Denver pollster and political analyst. They are targeting things talking directly to Hispanic voters but there is too much downside on both sides to bring it into the general conversation.
For Republicans, reaching out to Latino voters has become more prominent in Colorado than before. Unlike election years past, theres not a lot of railing for or against immigration reform, much less talk of stronger deportation policies.
I wouldnt say immigration is taking a back seat, but you cant paint the picture that its the only issue for the Hispanic community, said Ali Prado, the Hispanic press secretary for the Republican National Party. Its an important issue, but the number one issue is the economy, and then education.
But Latino voters and advocates question that stance.
I think there is maybe a disconnect because, yes, the economy and education are big issues, but immigration is something we talk to voters about every single day, said Carla Castedo, Colorado director of Mi Familia Vota, a national, non-partisan get-out-the-vote organization. Most Latino voters are impacted personally by immigration, whether they personally are immigrants or its a family member or a friend.
In fact, 53 percent of Colorados eligible Latino voters are personally acquainted with an undocumented immigrant, according to a poll released Oct. 15 by Latino Decisions. But even though immigration significantly impacts Colorado voters, the outreach approach for Democrats is much the same as Republicans and it doesnt seem to be working very well.
The same Latino Decisions poll showed that 47 percent of Colorado Hispanic voters believe that Democrats are either taking their vote for granted or dont care about Hispanic voters. The poll also showed that 60 percent of Hispanic voters believed Republicans dont care about their vote and 17 percent said that Republicans are being out right hostile to Colorados Latinos.
We wont be ignored by one side and be taken for granted by the other side, Castedo said. The fact that immigration reform wasnt passed really meant a lot, and right now people dont know where to direct their anger.
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Candidates woo Latino voters, ignore immigration reform