Latino Voters and the Disconnect with Political Messaging 

Is there a disconnect between political messaging and Latino voters? Laura Rodriguez believes there is and calls it a growing divide. Rodriguez is the Vice President of Government Affairs at the Center for American Progress and has deep roots in political affairs. She joins Maggie Daun, host of The Maggie Daun Show, to discuss the critical factors shaping Latino voter sentiments and why the standard approach just isn’t working.

“Mainstream media is not where most Latino voters are getting their information,” Rodriguez explains. “And it’s a trend that Democrats, in particular, have been slow to catch up with, though Republican strategies have focused on social media platforms. They are reaching out there directly in a way that resonates more than traditional campaigns.”

Rodriguez points to a telling example in Wisconsin, where 64% of Latino voters cited the cost of living and inflation as their primary concerns. 

“Democrats talked about inflation being down, but they didn’t address what that meant for people’s actual cost of living,” she says. “Prices for basic household goods have risen sharply in recent years, and that’s what impacts daily lives. Ignoring that reality showed a disconnect between what Democrats wanted to say and what voters needed to hear.”

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The conversation also explores the broader anti-establishment sentiment among voters.

“There’s a real frustration with institutions that voters feel aren’t representing their interests,” Daun says. “This isn’t a simple left vs. right issue anymore. It’s about people feeling like their needs aren’t being met, regardless of the political party in charge.”

Rodriguez agrees, adding that Latino voters, like many others, no longer see themselves as one typical group. 

“Latino communities are incredibly diverse, and assumptions based on old stereotypes miss the mark,” she explains. “We’re talking about people from different generations and different backgrounds who are navigating a complex set of economic and social concerns.”

Rodriguez suggests more nuanced, grassroots messaging that prioritizes everyday struggles over celebrity endorsements or millionaire spokespeople. The path forward may require a complete rethink of the one-size-fits-all messaging approach.

“People want to hear from those who understand their realities, not just policies,” Rodriguez says.