Latino Evangelical Voters Emerge as Midterm Swing Bloc
Latino evangelical voters are shifting their political alignment ahead of the November 3 midterms as economic pressures and immigration raids erode Republican support.
Latino voters, specifically Latino evangelicals, have become a critical swing demographic for the November 3 midterm elections. While Republicans saw gains with Hispanic Protestants in 2024 through social conservatism and economic appeals, Donald Trump has seen his favorability among this group drop by 20 percent over the last two years.
This shift is driven by rising gas prices and the consequences of immigration crackdowns. In Southern California and Minnesota, immigration raids have led to the deportation of pastors and congregants, causing attendance to drop in some Assemblies of God congregations. While Democrats are regaining ground, they continue to face resistance from voters who oppose party platforms regarding LGBTQ issues and abortion.
Community organizations are employing divergent strategies to capture this bloc. The Faith & Freedom Coalition is focusing on social conservatism in Michigan and Pennsylvania, while the National Latino Evangelical Coalition urges voters to prioritize character and love of neighbor over party labels. In Dallas, the Industrial Areas Foundation and Dallas Area Interfaith are using civic academies to move beyond transactional politics and address systemic housing and healthcare issues. Meanwhile, the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership in Chicago has taken legal action against the Department of Homeland Security to ensure pastoral visits at ICE detention centers.
