ECNETNews – WASHINGTON — Both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump view economic policy as a crucial avenue to engage Latino voters, but their strategies could not be more different.
In a recent interview, Vice President Harris emphasized her plan to create increased opportunities specifically tailored for Latino men, informed by extensive focus group feedback and polling data. Her agenda includes a proposal to double registered apprenticeships and remove college degree requirements for certain federal jobs, along with offering forgivable loans of up to $20,000 to support one million small businesses.
Meanwhile, former President Trump is engaging with Latino communities through a roundtable event in Doral, a Miami suburb. His campaign aims to illustrate that employment, wages, and home ownership improved for Latinos during his presidency, while criticizing Harris and President Joe Biden for the current economic challenges, including high inflation. “Trump is the only candidate who can bring prosperity back to America,” his campaign argues.
Both candidates recognize the pivotal role Latino men may play in the election, particularly in key states like Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Nevada, where shifting support could alter traditional voting patterns.
Polling insights reveal that Harris’ campaign is confident that her economic policies resonate with Latino men, focusing on their aspirations to achieve the American dream. “We’ve seen these policies resonate in speeches and focus groups,” a campaign source stated.
As the election nears, both campaigns are strategically targeting an increasingly diverse electorate. Harris is also courting Black men and younger voters, while Trump leverages events and podcasts to connect with younger demographics.
Trump previously claimed that his administration oversaw the “greatest economy in the history of our country,” arguing that current inflation issues stem from the Biden administration’s policies. “We’re going to get rid of the inflation,” he stated, while proposing increased oil production as a solution.
In light of the upcoming election, the Harris campaign is betting that Latino voters, particularly men, will prioritize detailed policy proposals. Focus group findings suggest that this demographic is interested in access to apprenticeships that lead to stable careers without requiring a college degree.
Current Labor Department figures indicate there are over 640,000 registered apprenticeships, a significant increase from past administrations, and if Harris’ proposal is adopted, the number could potentially rise to approximately 1.2 million within four years.
Additionally, Latino men have expressed a need for improved access to capital and credit to start businesses, and recent reports indicate that Latino business ownership has surged by 40% since before the pandemic.
As Trump works to establish trust among Latino voters by emphasizing shared entrepreneurial values, he faces scrutiny over his past immigration policies.
In a recent statement, Trump praised Hispanic entrepreneurship, highlighting their ambition and energy while addressing concerns over generalizations about Latino communities. “You have great ambition, you have great energy, very smart,” he shared at a recent event.
