A Latino paralegal in Pennsylvania who supported Biden in 2020 has switched her allegiance to Trump, citing concerns over rising costs of living and mistrust of Vice President Kamala Harris.
A growing number of Latino voters in Pennsylvania, a crucial battleground state, are shifting their support from President Joe Biden to former President Donald Trump. This trend is raising concerns among Democrats, as Pennsylvania's "Latino belt" could potentially determine the outcome of the 2024 presidential election.
Milves Teresa, a paralegal from Reading, Pennsylvania, a town within the Latino belt, is one such voter who has made the switch. She explained that while she voted for Biden in 2020, she has become disillusioned with his administration due to the rising cost of living and her perception of his endorsement of Vice President Harris as his successor.
Latino Voters Shifting Allegiance from Biden to Trump in Pennsylvania
Teresa expressed her distrust of Harris, saying, "Because her background — I don’t trust her." This sentiment echoes criticisms from Harris's opponents, who have highlighted her past statements on illegal immigration and her record as a prosecutor.
NBC News correspondent George Solis, who interviewed locals in Reading, reported that the town has moved to the right by 15 points since 2016. While Biden won Reading by over 46 votes in 2020, Solis's findings suggest that the town could potentially swing in Trump's favor in 2024.
Latino Voters Shifting Allegiance from Biden to Trump in Pennsylvania
Solis also noted that the Trump campaign has yet to set a timetable for visiting Reading, while the Harris campaign has established numerous campaign offices in the area. This indicates that the Harris campaign recognizes the importance of Pennsylvania's Latino belt and is actively campaigning for votes.
Latino voters in the area appear to be highly energized about the upcoming election, with many expressing the sentiment, "This vote is so important to our election." Both the Trump and Harris campaigns are aware of this energy and are expected to fiercely compete for votes in Pennsylvania.
Latino Voters Shifting Allegiance from Biden to Trump in Pennsylvania
The shifting allegiance of Latino voters in Pennsylvania underscores the challenges facing Democrats in the upcoming election. If the trend continues, it could undermine Biden's hopes of retaining the presidency and complicate Harris's path to becoming the first female president of the United States.
