Hispanic Voters' Economic Discontent Persists as Primaries Begin, Despite Trump's 2024 Gains
As voters head to the polls in Texas and North Carolina for Tuesday's primaries, the political trajectory of the nation's Hispanic electorate remains a central, and nuanced, question. A fresh analysis of CBS News polling data indicates that while Donald Trump made notable inroads with this crucial demographic in the 2024 election—particularly in the battleground state of Texas—a deep-seated economic pessimism now clouds his standing.
The economy was the paramount issue for Hispanic voters nationally in 2024, and those who prioritized it overwhelmingly backed Trump over Kamala Harris. This support was especially pronounced among the roughly quarter who described inflation as a "severe hardship," helping to propel Trump to victory in Texas, where about a quarter of 2024 voters were Hispanic.
Yet, more than a year into Trump's second term, the economic optimism that fueled some of that support appears to have faded. A majority of Hispanic voters continue to rate the national economy poorly, and most report that their incomes are not keeping pace with rising prices. Furthermore, a significant portion feels the administration's policies have not improved their personal finances, contributing to a decline in Trump's approval rating among Hispanics over the past year.
On immigration—another critical issue—views are similarly mixed. Most Hispanic voters acknowledge a decrease in border crossings under Trump's policies, a shift from perceptions during the Biden presidency. However, approval of the administration's deportation program has dropped sharply, from about half at the start of the term to roughly a third now. Concerns persist that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations are overly harsh and not sufficiently focused on prioritizing criminals, with a prevailing sense that Hispanics are unfairly targeted for searches.
This growing policy discontent, however, has not automatically translated into a warm embrace of the Democratic Party. While Hispanics hold a more negative impression of the GOP, their overall view of the Democratic Party remains net unfavorable. Nevertheless, on the core issues of the economy and immigration, the Democratic approach is preferred to that of Trump and the Republicans, suggesting a potential opening as the election cycle intensifies.
This analysis is based on CBS News exit polls and CBS News/YouGov surveys conducted prior to the recent onset of U.S. military action against Iran, the electoral impact of which remains uncertain.
Voices from the Community
"The data confirms what I see in my neighborhood every day," says Maria Fernandez, a small business owner in San Antonio. "People voted for change on the economy, but the struggle is just as real. It makes you feel politically homeless—neither party is fully addressing our community's daily realities."
Carlos Mendez, a political science professor in Phoenix, offers a measured take: "This isn't a monolithic bloc. The Texas shift was significant, but sustainability depends on tangible results. The drop in approval on deportations shows policy execution matters as much as rhetoric."
"It's infuriating," states Ana Silva, an immigration advocate in Los Angeles, her tone sharp. "The administration took our economic votes and then escalated raids that tear families apart. The targeting is blatant, and the Democrats offer little more than sympathetic words. We're being failed by all sides."
David Chen, a pollster who focuses on demographic trends, adds: "The key takeaway is volatility. Hispanic voters are pragmatically assessing which party addresses their top concerns. This dissatisfaction creates a fluid electorate that both campaigns will aggressively court, with economic messaging being the primary battlefield."