Republicans and Democrats make their case to Latino voters

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Election season is in full swing. President Biden and former President Trump have both secured enough delegates to be their party's presidential nominee. Political experts say the Hispanic vote will be key in November.

Both Democrats and Republicans see Latino voters as persuadable. Republicans argue these voters are traditionally more conservative and prize family values.

Democrats say their party advocates for policies and services that benefit the Hispanic community.

Irene M. Cavazos, Chair of the Willacy County Democratic Party, said, “We are the party that has brought so many social programs that have helped them lift themselves up, they have paved the way to their success nowadays.”

But Hilda Garza De Shazo, Secretary of the Hidalgo County GOP, said just having those programs in place isn't enough. Garza De Shazo said in the last years of her mother's life, the government benefits for which she qualified were reduced.

“Do you know who lowered her food stamps? Obama," said Garza De Shazo. "Do you know who lowered her Social Security payment? Obama. It was during his tenure.”

Republicans said it's important to appeal to Hispanics regarding social issues. Issues like reproductive rights have recently been spotlighted following the Dobbs decision from the Supreme Court.

However, Garza De Shazo said other issues might be more important when it comes to attracting Latino voters.

“I think the social part is some of it but I think the economic factor plays a much stronger part," Garza De Shazo said, adding that the rising price of goods and services might inspire change in political leadership.

At the same time, Cavazos said high prices are due to corporate greed, and not Democratic leadership or President Biden. “He’s not telling H-E-B, raise your prices this is on the corporations themselves, this is on them, it’s not about Democrat or Republican.”

One thing both parties can agree on is that the other has gone too far to one side of the political spectrum.

Democratic County Chair Cavazos said, “I feel like independents are moving towards us because the Republicans have just gone extreme.”

On the other side, Garza De Shazo said, “The Democrat Party is not what it used to be. The Democrat Party has left the values that we hold dear.”