New Report Measures Widening Gap Between Republicans and Latino Voters

 

 

Sacramento, CA – According to a 3-year time series analysis of the Latino Policy Coalition’s (LPC) nationwide polls (conducted in April 2006, Sept. 2006 and July 2009), Democrats have increased their ratings on top Latino priority issues like healthcare reform, immigration reform and jobs and the economy.

“This data shows that Congressional Democrats continue to achieve strong credibility with Latino voters,” said LPC Chair Jim Gonzalez.

 

On healthcare reform: Democrats in Congress hold a 45-point advantage over Congressional Republicans (60% Democrats, 15% Republicans) when it comes to health care and prescription drugs. The gap between Congressional Democrats and Congressional Republicans has only grown wider since April 2006 when Democrats had a 43-point advantage (Democrats 61%, Republicans 18%).

 

Joshua Ulibarri, of Lake Research Partners noted that, “Recent Republican opposition to healthcare reform has cost them support among Latino voters, and they risk further losing support if they remain so entrenched against the comprehensive reform Latinos favor.” (Please see the August 10, 2009 memo on LPC’s website for further analysis.)

 

On comprehensive immigration reform: Currently, Latinos give Congressional Democrats a 40-point advantage on immigration as 52% feel Democrats would do a better job while 12% feel Republicans would do a better job. The Democratic advantage has increased 7-points since April 2006 when Democrats were 33-points better than Republicans (50% Democrats, 17% Republicans).

 

On jobs and the economy: Latinos are optimistic the economy will improve. A majority of Latinos (45%) feel their children will be better off than they are, while 25% feel they will be worse off. This is a dramatic change from April 2006 when 31% said better off and 45% said worse off under a Republican controlled White House and Congress.

 

“This breakthrough analysis confirms the pit Republicans seem to be digging for themselves with Latino voters. Earlier this summer Congressional Republicans overwhelmingly opposed the confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court. Now they are filling the airwaves denouncing comprehensive healthcare reform in terms of a public option. Congressional Republicans may be wise to consider the consequences they may face with Latino voters at the ballot for the 2010 mid-term elections,” concluded Gonzalez.

About the Latino Policy Coalition

 

The Latino Policy Coalition is a national non-partisan non-profit consortium of the country's leading Latino research organizations and scholars. These organizations are dedicated to measuring through nationwide polls public policy issues affecting the Latino community. Chaired by former SF Supervisor Jim Gonzalez, the LPC's mission is to help define Latino community concerns on key contemporary issues in order to stimulate public policy debate among local, state and national elected officials.

 

METHODOLOGY

Lake Research Partners designed and administered this survey, which was conducted by phone using professional interviewers. The survey reached 1,000 Latino/a registered voter in the 23 states with the highest Latino population density. A quarter of the interviews were conducted in Spanish. These states include: CA, TX, FL, NY, IL, AZ, NJ, NM, CO, GA, NV, NC, WA, MA, VA, PA, CT, MI, OR, MD, IN, OH, and WI. The survey was conducted July 23 through July 28, 2009. Telephone numbers for the survey were drawn from files of registered voters. The data were weighted slightly by age and education. The margin of error for the survey is +/- 3.1 percentage points.

FOR DETAILED POLL RESULTS VISIT: www.latinopolicycoalition.org

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