America, Actually with Astead Herndon America, Actually with Astead Herndon

Latino voters swing back

Sep 19, 2026 · 32m

Summary

This episode examines the dramatic shift in Latino voter support away from Donald Trump, driven by economic struggles, immigration enforcement, and broken promises. Stephanie Valencia of ECIS explains that Latinos are a "swinging giant" rather than a monolith, highlighting common campaign errors like poor Spanish-language ad targeting. Democratic congressional candidate Manny Rootino discusses his strategy in a battleground Colorado district, focusing on affordability and healthcare while navigating his evolution from progressive to pragmatic policymaking.

Topics discussed

Intro: Latino voter shift away from Trump Defining the Latino electorate and the 'Swinging Giant' Nuances within subgroups and the unifying role of the economy Campaign mistakes: Translating ads and digital targeting Immigration promises vs. reality and voter regret Economic factors: Wages, inflation, and cost of living Why disappointment in Trump doesn't guarantee Democratic support Ideology vs. common sense: Abortion, healthcare, and SNAP Demographics, new voters, and the end of the 'inevitable' narrative Interview Intro: Manny Rootino and Colorado's 8th District On-the-ground feedback: Broken promises and kitchen table issues Personal politics: Veganism, meat, and campaign distractions Political identity: Progressive labels vs. pragmatism Healthcare policy shifts: Single-payer to public option Explaining policy changes: Evidence-based decision making Cultural connection and representing the Latino community Takeaways and show credits Sponsor: Blinds.com Sponsor: Mint Mobile
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