Pennsylvania/ Latino voters/ Kamala Harris/ Donald Trump/ 2024 election/ battleground state/ Allentown/ Reading/ Latino outreach/ Hispanic vote/ Newslooks/ ALLENTOWN/ PENNSYLVANIA/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The growing Latino population in Pennsylvania’s 222 Corridor could play a pivotal role in the 2024 election. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are targeting these voters, with Harris focusing on gender and economic concerns, while Trump appeals to younger men and immigration. Pennsylvania’s 19 electoral votes are at stake.
Pennsylvania’s Growing Latino Voters – Quick Look
- Pennsylvania’s Latino voter population has surged to 620,000 since 2000.
- The 222 Corridor, including cities like Allentown and Reading, is a key area for both campaigns.
- Harris emphasizes her connection with Latina women and economic relief, while Trump focuses on younger Latino men and immigration policies.
- Trump previously lost Pennsylvania in 2020 but believes he can regain support from Latinos.
- Both campaigns view Pennsylvania’s 19 electoral votes as critical to victory.
Pennsylvania’s Growing Latino Vote Could Swing 2024 for Harris or Trump
Deep Look
With just weeks to go before the 2024 presidential election, Pennsylvania’s rapidly growing Latino population has become a key focus for both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. The state’s Latino vote has more than doubled since 2000, now numbering over 620,000 eligible voters, concentrated largely in the 222 Corridor region that runs through cities like Allentown and Reading. In a battleground state where elections can be decided by narrow margins, both campaigns are working hard to sway this influential demographic.
Victor Martinez, a local radio host of Puerto Rican descent, uses his platform in Allentown to rally his listeners, urging them to take an active role in the upcoming election. Martinez, though critical of Trump, wants more Latinos to vote and ensure their voices are heard, similar to the influence wielded by Cuban Americans in Florida. “We need to make them fight for us,” he says, encouraging Latino voters to become a decisive political force in the state.
Martinez’s show, which streams on YouTube and Facebook, touches on national issues that matter to Pennsylvania’s Latinos, such as Trump’s immigration rhetoric and the challenges of building political influence. While Trump’s strong language on immigration has alienated some, others see him as a champion of law and order.
For Harris, Pennsylvania is a testing ground for her ability to hold onto the large share of the Latino vote that her running mate, President Joe Biden, won in 2020. Harris has relied on a network of surrogates, including prominent Puerto Rican figures, to connect with Latino voters. Her focus on gender equity and economic policies resonates with many Latina women in the state, who see her as someone who understands their struggles. In Allentown, Democratic Mayor Matt Tuerk notes that Harris’ identity as a woman is a key factor for many female voters. He recounts hearing from voters who say, “I will vote for ‘la mujer’ (the woman).”
In contrast, Trump’s campaign has been courting younger Latino men, a group they believe could help shift the vote in his favor. Trump has opened a Latino outreach office in Pennsylvania and has secured endorsements from popular reggaeton artists such as Anuel AA and Nicky Jam. His messaging focuses on restoring the economy and law enforcement, aiming to capitalize on concerns about crime and immigration among Latino voters. Marcela Diaz-Myers, a Colombian immigrant who leads Hispanic outreach for the Pennsylvania GOP, emphasizes that Trump values Latino contributions to the economy. She notes that Trump’s immigration stance resonates with some Latinos, especially those who have worked hard to legalize their status.
Nationwide, about 6 in 10 Latino voters supported Biden in 2020, according to AP VoteCast, but Trump’s team believes they can make significant inroads. Latino voters are increasingly seen as a swing group that cannot be taken for granted by either party. In Pennsylvania, where Trump lost by a small margin in 2020, every vote counts. Both campaigns are keenly aware that the state’s 19 electoral votes could decide the election.
Harris’ campaign is carefully navigating this challenge by tailoring their outreach to specific concerns within the Latino community. For many voters in Allentown and Reading, economic relief and access to affordable healthcare are top priorities. Harris’ campaign has highlighted these issues, along with her advocacy for reproductive rights, which holds particular importance for female voters.
At the same time, Trump’s messaging on immigration is designed to appeal to a segment of Latinos who feel that legal immigrants should be prioritized. Robert Unanue, CEO of Goya Foods and a key Trump surrogate, argues that many Latinos support Trump’s tough stance on immigration. “Trump is not going to deport your aunt or your cousin,” Unanue says. “He’s focusing on criminals and people who abuse the system.”
As Election Day approaches, voter turnout in the state’s Latino-dominated areas will be crucial. In cities like Allentown and Reading, Latinos now make up more than half of the population. Both parties are watching closely as early voting data trickles in. So far, Democrats have an edge in mail-in and absentee ballots in Lehigh and Berks counties, but Republicans are expected to turn out in force on Election Day, following a recent trend in the GOP to favor in-person voting.
While Harris and Trump are taking different approaches to winning the Latino vote, both recognize its importance. Harris is doubling down on her image as a champion for women and economic justice, while Trump is leveraging his record on the economy and immigration to win over Latino men.
On Allentown’s Seventh Street, known locally as Calle Siete, the views of Latino voters are as diverse as the community itself. For some, like Franklin Encarnacion, a Dominican immigrant, Harris represents hope for economic relief and women’s rights. “She knows what we need in our homes,” he says, noting the rising cost of living under Biden. Others, like Miguel Cleto, a Dominican pastor, believe that Trump is the only candidate who can bring stability back to the U.S. and reverse what he sees as the Democrats’ mishandling of key issues like immigration and abortion.
As both campaigns work to solidify their messages in the final days before the election, one thing is clear: Pennsylvania’s Latino vote has never been more crucial. The outcome in this battleground state could hinge on which candidate successfully mobilizes this growing and increasingly influential community.
