A Republican sheriff candidate in a Texas border county that has historically voted Democratic says he is seeing a surge in support for the GOP among Hispanic voters.
A Republican sheriff candidate in a Texas border county that has never voted Republican in a presidential election said Friday he has been "shocked" by the number of residents who plan to support former President Trump in November.
Voters in Starr County, Texas – which is over 97% Hispanic or Latino – have overwhelmingly supported Democratic candidates in the last century, with 86% voting for former President Obama in 2012. In 2020, however, voters shifted away from the Democratic Party in droves, with Biden only grabbing 52% of the vote.
Hispanic Voters Shifting to Republican Party in South Texas Border County
The county could now make a historic shift in 2024.
"I've been doing door-to-door campaigning in all pockets of this county," Starr County Republican sheriff candidate Alberto Olivares told "Fox & Friends First" Friday. "I am just shocked with the number of people that just volunteer that they're going to vote for Trump."
Hispanic Voters Shifting to Republican Party in South Texas Border County
Olivares, a former Democrat himself, said Latinos have been historically conservative, but "for some reason" they have identified as Democrats for generations.
"We believe in God and supporting the family. We want a secure border, supporting our police officers, fiscal responsibilities. So we're conservatives."
Hispanic Voters Shifting to Republican Party in South Texas Border County
Olivares added that people in his community are feeling the "financial squeeze" in addition to the border crisis.
"Border security being so close here is a very important issue. But so is the economy. And people are just struggling."
Olivares, a former Border Patrol agent, said he decided to run for sheriff because "enough is enough," adding it has been 118 years since the county had a Republican sheriff.
"I never dreamed of being a politician by any means, but, enough is enough, and we need some real leadership in the sheriff's office here. We need to increase security for the people. And, I think I'm the right guy for the job."
The Starr County sheriff's race is nonpartisan, but Olivares is the only Republican candidate. He will face off against two Democratic candidates in the November election.
If Olivares wins, he would be the first Republican sheriff in Starr County since its founding in 1848.
The shift towards the Republican Party among Hispanic voters in Starr County is a reflection of a broader trend across the country. In the 2020 presidential election, Trump made significant gains among Hispanic voters, particularly in South Texas.
According to a Pew Research Center poll conducted in August 2020, 32% of Hispanic voters said they planned to vote for Trump, up from 28% in 2016.
The shift towards the Republican Party among Hispanic voters is likely due to a number of factors, including the economy, immigration, and social issues.
Hispanic voters are increasingly concerned about the economy, and they believe that the Republican Party is better equipped to handle the economy than the Democratic Party.
Hispanic voters are also concerned about immigration, and they believe that the Republican Party is more likely to secure the border and crack down on illegal immigration.
Finally, Hispanic voters are increasingly concerned about social issues, such as abortion and same-sex marriage. They believe that the Republican Party is more likely to protect their traditional values.
The shift towards the Republican Party among Hispanic voters is a significant development in American politics. It could have a major impact on the outcome of the 2024 presidential election and beyond.
