Harris Trump Hispanic vote/ Nevada Latino electorate/ battleground state Nevada Hispanic voters/ Newslooks/ NEVADA/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ As the presidential election nears, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are campaigning in Nevada to win over Hispanic voters, a key demographic in the state. Harris will rally with Jennifer Lopez and Mexican rock band Mana in Las Vegas, while Trump will hold a large event in Henderson. Both candidates aim to energize Nevada’s large Latino population, with polls showing a closer divide than in previous elections.
Harris and Trump Vie for Latino Vote in Nevada: Quick Look
- Campaign Stops: Harris and Trump campaign in Nevada, targeting the state’s large Hispanic population.
- Poll Trends: Trump shows gains with Hispanic voters nationally, holding 38% support; Harris leads with 50%.
- Celebrity Support: Jennifer Lopez and Mana will perform at a Harris rally in Las Vegas, while Trump will host a Henderson event at a large sports venue.
- Voter Turnout: Early voting in Nevada shows Republicans with a strong lead, with 40% of registered voters already participating.
- Broader Strategy: Trump aims to expand his map with a stop in New Mexico; Harris also campaigns in Arizona.
Harris, Trump Rally Latino Voters in Final Nevada Campaign Push
Deep Look
In the final stretch before Election Day, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are focusing on Hispanic voters in Nevada, a battleground state where Latinos make up roughly 30% of the population. Harris, the Democratic nominee, and Trump, her Republican opponent, are holding events in Las Vegas and Henderson on Thursday to solidify support from Latino voters, a critical demographic group that both parties are fiercely competing to win over.
Harris, whose support among Hispanic voters stands at 50% according to recent Reuters/Ipsos polls, will be joined in Las Vegas by singer Jennifer Lopez and Mexican pop rock band Mana. Their presence aims to energize the crowd at Harris’s “When We Vote We Win” rally, part of a series of events designed to mobilize the Hispanic vote in Nevada. The rally will underscore Harris’s message of unity and inclusivity as she seeks to appeal to a demographic that has traditionally supported Democratic candidates.
Meanwhile, Trump is expected to draw a large crowd in Henderson, a city southeast of Las Vegas, where he will hold a rally at the Lee’s Family Forum, home to the Henderson Silver Knights hockey team. Trump’s support among Hispanic voters has risen since 2020, now polling at 38%, up from 32% at this time four years ago. His Nevada rally reflects the campaign’s aim to capture more Latino support, especially among religiously and politically diverse voters, as he continues to build momentum in swing states.
The battle for Hispanic support has intensified as early voting numbers show a strong turnout in Nevada. According to political commentator Jon Ralston, Republicans currently lead in early voting, with nearly 40% of registered voters having cast their ballots already. Nevada’s early voting process has also been streamlined since 2020, allowing any ballots postmarked by November 5 to be counted if received within four days of Election Day, aiming to avoid delayed results like those seen in the last election.
The candidates’ courtship of Latino voters in Nevada comes as both campaigns deal with controversies. Trump’s recent rally in New York drew criticism after comedian Tony Hinchcliffe called Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage,” prompting backlash from prominent Hispanic Americans. Singer Nicky Jam, who initially endorsed Trump in September, withdrew his support on Wednesday, saying, “Puerto Rico should be respected.” In response, the Trump campaign distanced itself from the remarks, with Trump telling reporters in Green Bay, Wisconsin, “I don’t know who he is… I love Puerto Rico and Puerto Rico loves me.”
Meanwhile, Trump used Biden’s recent comment describing some Trump supporters as “garbage” to criticize the Democrats. Harris, responding to this, reiterated her commitment to represent all Americans if elected. “I will be a president for all Americans,” she said, underscoring her message of inclusivity and an effort to move beyond divisive rhetoric.
As Election Day approaches, both Harris and Trump are intensifying their outreach to Hispanic voters, not just in Nevada but across other swing states with significant Latino populations. Trump will make a stop in New Mexico, reflecting his campaign’s push to expand into states that were out of reach in 2020. Harris, along with running mate Tim Walz, will also appear in Phoenix, Arizona, on Thursday, as both campaigns compete to gain ground in a state that remains fiercely contested.
With more than 59 million Americans already having cast their ballots, the candidates’ final campaign events are expected to drive turnout even higher. Harris, who would become the first female president if elected, contrasts sharply with Trump on major issues such as support for Ukraine, NATO, and abortion rights. Harris has also focused on maintaining voter confidence in Nevada, a state that faced delays in results during the 2020 election, as it works to deliver faster counts this year.
The intense competition for Hispanic voters in Nevada and other battlegrounds reflects the demographic’s growing influence on American politics. Both Harris and Trump hope that their messages will resonate with Latino voters, setting the stage for an Election Day that could come down to razor-thin margins in key states.
