National Institute for Latino Policy (NiLP)

337 South 4th Street, Suite 1
Brooklyn, NY 11211
800-590-2516


 

Board of Directors
José R. Sánchez
   Chair
Edgar DeJesus
   Secretary
Israel Colon
   Treasurer
Maria Rivera
   Development Chair

Hector Figueroa

Tanya K. Hernandez
 Angelo Falcón
   President


Follow us on Twitter and


How the GOP is
winning over Hispanic voters
by Edith Jorge
Washington Examiner (November 21, 2017)
 
On paper, some may believe that I am the ideal Democrat voter: a woman from the blue state of New Jersey who also happens to be Hispanic. Quite frankly, I once was a registered Democrat, as was my entire family - but that all changed when a teacher helped me secure my first internship for Governor Chris Christie's office, and I realized that I was, in fact, a fiscal conservative.
 
This first realization helped me recognize that many of my values as a Hispanic are actually similar to those of the Republican Party: the importance of the family, a desire for financial stability, and a love of country.
 
I am proud to say that I have been a registered Republican for years and now serve as the Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Republican National Committee (RNC), where I see my personal values reflected by the party each day. The Republican Party's message of empowerment and individual liberty resonates with Americans from diverse backgrounds, and we are working to spread this message. We recognize that to keep winning elections, we must engage with communities of all backgrounds and discuss our shared values. The RNC's permanent ground game in key states across the country has been a key component of the GOP's success.
 
Republican candidates won all five special elections this year, a testament to the party's strength in mobilizing our base nationwide. We owe much of our success to sharing what it means to Lead Right among all demographics, including the Hispanic community. In the last few months alone, the RNC hosted events with Latino leaders in Texas, North Carolina, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Florida-and the party is committed to doing even more.
 
During roundtable and community events in Houston and McAllen, Texas, the GOP met with business owners and pastors to discuss President Trump's tax proposal and its many benefits to Latinos. One business owner recognized that tax reform would help his fresh produce company compete internationally and create more jobs in South Texas. The RNC also doubled down on tax cuts during events in Raleigh, N.C., and Miami, Fla. As Congress gets closer to passing tax reform, Americans nationwide may soon receive the relief they deserve. Hispanics, the largest minority demographic in the country, may even benefit the most from tax cuts for middle-class families and small businesses, as well as a larger child tax credit.
 
The RNC hosted a Faith and Freedom Lunch in Milwaukee, Wis., to discuss religious liberty with 40 Hispanic pastors and ways in which the Republican Party could share their conservative ideals. Religious liberty is the first freedom protected under the Bill of Rights, and even President George Washington believed that "religion and morality are indispensable" to a free society. That right, in fact, is enshrined in the Republican Party's platform.
 
The Republican Leadership Initiative held its National Day of Action this November in San Marcos, Texas, to train volunteers to become organizers in the field. The GOP identified college students at Texas State University who were eager to develop their leadership skills. I am proud to say the president of the College Republicans, a fellow Latino, was optimistic about his future in politics. As the number of Hispanic students enrolling in college hits an all-time high, I too feel optimistic, not just about his future, but the future of young Hispanics everywhere.
 
RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel understands the vibrant spirit of Latino families, and has been directly involved in efforts to engage with Hispanic communities. She participated in Cinco de Mayo and Hispanic Heritage Month festivities in Michigan and Colorado, respectively, where she celebrated our Hispanic culture and met with community leaders to talk about some of our shared values of family, economic prosperity, and American exceptionalism. RNC Co-Chairman Bob Paduchik is also doing his part to be involved, hosting Latino leaders at our headquarters to discuss the GOP's continued commitment to grow our party.
 
Attendees at our events made it abundantly clear that meeting face-to-face with the RNC is an important way for them to earnestly voice their concerns. As the GOP continues to meet and work with members of the Hispanic community, I am confident that even more Latinos will come to see that their values really are in line with those of the Republican Party.
 
Edith Jorge is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Republican National Committee.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
The NiLP Report on Latino Policy & Politics is an online information service provided by the National Institute for Latino Policy. For further information, visit www.latinopolicy. org. Send comments to editor@latinopolicy.org.