Building the Next Republican Voting Bloc: Hispanic Americans
By Lea Márquez Peterson
The recent election results serve as both a wake-up call and an opportunity for those of us committed to advancing Latino representation within the Republican Party. Despite record-breaking Latino voter turnout and increased support for Republican candidates—including significant gains for President Trump—the number of Latino Republicans serving in Congress unfortunately decreased. This is a trend Republicans cannot ignore.
Why do we have less representation at the national level despite strong grassroots momentum? The answer lies in a lack of consistent investment in a robust pipeline of Latino candidates and the infrastructure to support them. That’s why I launched the Hispanic Leadership PAC in 2023 to recruit, train, and support the next generation of Hispanic Republican leaders—year round, and even during “off cycle” years.
Building a Winning Candidate Pipeline
Developing a steady stream of excellent candidates requires more than just encouragement; it requires action. Latino candidates often face unique challenges in fundraising, network-building, and campaign organization. To address this, we are committed to:
Providing targeted support: Offering campaign training programs, connecting candidates with volunteers, and helping them build strong donor networks.
Empowering grassroots outreach: Partnering with communities to identify and support potential leaders who understand the challenges their neighbors face.
Fostering year-round engagement: Ensuring that outreach and support are consistent, not just during election years.
Broadening the Republican Message
This past election, we connected with Hispanic small business owners by hosting "cafecitos." These were successful, formal events where candid conversations about economic opportunity took center stage—all at Hispanic-owned businesses. These conversations revealed what we already know: Latino voters want leaders who understand their everyday struggles and work to address them.
Latino voters have shown that their concerns extend far beyond traditional messaging focused solely on immigration and border security. Key issues like the cost of living, affordable housing, and fostering a business-friendly environment resonate deeply within our communities. As small business owners, workers, and parents, Latinos are looking for leaders who can deliver real solutions to these pressing challenges.
Seizing the Moment
According to recent data released by NBS News, President Donald Trump won 45% of the Hispanic vote in November’s historic Presidential Election. Donald Trump increased his support by 13% among Latinos compared to 2020–and surpassed President George W. Bush’s historic margin of 44%. Latinos are the fastest-growing voting bloc in the country, and their turnout in this election underscores their political power. The Republican Party cannot afford to let the momentum ebb and flow, as it has in the past. We must maintain a consistent presence and commitment to building relationships with Latino voters and leaders.
This is exactly why the Hispanic Leadership PAC was created—to ensure our efforts continue between election cycles. By investing in Latino candidates and maintaining meaningful connections with the community, we can reverse the downward trend in Latino Republican representation and build a stronger and more representative coalition of leaders at all levels of government.
