Progressives Launch $1.4M Blitz to Win Back Trump-Leaning Latino Voters

Paul Riverbank, 10/22/2025Progressive groups launch $1.4M campaign to win back Latino voters shifting towards Trump.

Latino Voters in Focus: Progressive Groups Launch $1.4M Campaign to Counter Trump's Appeal

The political ground is shifting beneath our feet, and nowhere is this more evident than in the Latino voting bloc. As a veteran observer of American politics, I've watched with keen interest as progressive organizations mount a sophisticated response to Donald Trump's growing appeal among Hispanic voters.

Let me break this down for you. Way to Win, born from the ashes of Trump's unexpected 2016 triumph, has just unveiled a $1.4 million campaign that's anything but business as usual. They're targeting six states – you've got your usual suspects like Arizona and Nevada, but they're also making plays in places like New Jersey and North Carolina.

Here's what's caught my eye: Trump's numbers with Hispanic voters jumped from 35% in 2020 to 43% in recent contests. Sure, Kamala Harris still holds the majority, but that trend line has set off alarm bells in Democratic circles. I've seen plenty of voter realignments in my career, but this one's particularly fascinating.

Tory Gavito, who heads Way to Win, hit me with an interesting perspective during our recent conversation. "Look," she said, "when people can't afford rent, when housing costs are crushing families, strict border policies start sounding pretty good to some folks." It's a classic case of economic anxiety meeting immigration policy, and Trump's team has played this dynamic like a fiddle.

Now, about those economic concerns – they're not just talking points. I've been poring over a joint study from Brookings and AEI (strange bedfellows, I know), and their findings are sobering. Crack down too hard on foreign workers, they say, and you might just throw sand in the gears of U.S. job growth.

Take Passaic, New Jersey – now there's an interesting case study. This Democratic stronghold flipped to Trump in 2024, but progressive groups scored a win there with rent control. Make the Road New Jersey's Nedy Morsy told me they're using these local victories to test broader messaging strategies.

The campaign's getting creative with its tactics. They're rolling out what they call "deep canvassing" – think lengthy, heart-to-heart conversations with voters, not just quick doorstep pitches. Their digital game is sharp too, juxtaposing images of billionaires against stories of working families struggling with rising costs.

Out in Nevada, where Trump clinched a win in 2024, local organizer Leo Murrieta didn't mince words: "Our community needs to know who's really fighting for them." It's raw, emotional stuff – exactly the kind of authentic messaging that could cut through the political noise.

From where I sit, this campaign isn't just about winning back votes; it's a test case for progressive politics in an era where traditional Democratic coalitions are showing cracks. The question isn't just whether they can counter Trump's message – it's whether they can rebuild trust with a community that's increasingly willing to shop around politically.

Time will tell if this $1.4 million bet pays off, but one thing's certain: the battle for Latino voters is reshaping American politics in ways that will echo through election cycles to come. And as someone who's watched this dance for decades, I can tell you – we're just getting started.

Latino Voters in Focus: Progressive Groups Launch $1.4M Campaign to Counter Trump's AppealThe political ground is shifting beneath our feet, and nowhere is this more evident than in the Latino voting bloc. As a veteran observer of American politics, I've watched with keen interest as progressive organizations mount a sophisticated response to Donald Trump's growing appeal among Hispanic voters.Let me break this down for you. Way to Win, born from the ashes of Trump's unexpected 2016 triumph, has just unveiled a $1.4 million campaign that's anything but business as usual. They're targeting six states – you've got your usual suspects like Arizona and Nevada, but they're also making plays in places like New Jersey and North Carolina.Here's what's caught my eye: Trump's numbers with Hispanic voters jumped from 35% in 2020 to 43% in recent contests. Sure, Kamala Harris still holds the majority, but that trend line has set off alarm bells in Democratic circles. I've seen plenty of voter realignments in my career, but this one's particularly fascinating.Tory Gavito, who heads Way to Win, hit me with an interesting perspective during our recent conversation. "Look," she said, "when people can't afford rent, when housing costs are crushing families, strict border policies start sounding pretty good to some folks." It's a classic case of economic anxiety meeting immigration policy, and Trump's team has played this dynamic like a fiddle.Now, about those economic concerns – they're not just talking points. I've been poring over a joint study from Brookings and AEI (strange bedfellows, I know), and their findings are sobering. Crack down too hard on foreign workers, they say, and you might just throw sand in the gears of U.S. job growth.Take Passaic, New Jersey – now there's an interesting case study. This Democratic stronghold flipped to Trump in 2024, but progressive groups scored a win there with rent control. Make the Road New Jersey's Nedy Morsy told me they're using these local victories to test broader messaging strategies.The campaign's getting creative with its tactics. They're rolling out what they call "deep canvassing" – think lengthy, heart-to-heart conversations with voters, not just quick doorstep pitches. Their digital game is sharp too, juxtaposing images of billionaires against stories of working families struggling with rising costs.Out in Nevada, where Trump clinched a win in 2024, local organizer Leo Murrieta didn't mince words: "Our community needs to know who's really fighting for them." It's raw, emotional stuff – exactly the kind of authentic messaging that could cut through the political noise.From where I sit, this campaign isn't just about winning back votes; it's a test case for progressive politics in an era where traditional Democratic coalitions are showing cracks. The question isn't just whether they can counter Trump's message – it's whether they can rebuild trust with a community that's increasingly willing to shop around politically.Time will tell if this $1.4 million bet pays off, but one thing's certain: the battle for Latino voters is reshaping American politics in ways that will echo through election cycles to come. And as someone who's watched this dance for decades, I can tell you – we're just getting started.