Could ‘angry’ Latino voters cost Trump the midterms? | BBC Americast

Latino voters could play a decisive role in which party controls Congress after the November midterm elections. Two years ago, 48% of them backed Donald Trump, a record for a Republican presidential candidate. Rising fuel prices and the impact of immigration enforcement on long-term US residents raise the question of whether that support is slipping. The discussion looks at the Texas Senate race, where Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton are competing for Latino voters. Strategists Mike Madrid and Chuck Rocha, who host The Latino Vote podcast, say these voters are mostly angry about the economy and may be drifting away from both parties rather than switching sides.

• Latino voters and the 2026 midterm elections
• Trump's 2024 support among Latino voters and recent shifts
• The Texas Senate race between Talarico and Paxton
• Strategists' views on economic anger and party loyalty

Latino voters could decide which party controls Congress after November’s midterm elections. Two years ago, 48% of them voted for Donald Trump, a record for a Republican presidential candidate. But with fuel prices still high, and his immigration crackdown affecting families who have lived in the US for a long time, is that support slipping away? Justin and Anthony discuss the campaign in Texas, where the Senate race is becoming a fight to win over Latino voters. Trump has mocked the Democratic candidate James Talarico for being vegan (though he isn’t), and Talarico has thrown down the gauntlet, challenging his Republican rival Ken Paxton to a TV debate on Fox News. Justin then talks to Mike Madrid and Chuck Rocha, the Republican and Democratic strategists behind The Latino Vote podcast. They say Latino voters are angry, mostly about the economy. Mike argues that they are drifting away from both parties rather than switching sides, and that Trump’s immigration enforcement has backfired on the Republicans. Chuck, who works for the Talarico campaign, warns Democrats against complacency: Latino voters turning against Trump might not translate into lasting support for the party. 00:00:00 - Why Latino voters are ‘angry’ 00:01:05 - Are Republicans losing Latino voters? 00:04:42 - Are Democrats misreading a Latino shift? 00:07:51 - What do Latino voters actually want? 00:09:02 - Latino voters could decide the midterms 00:14:00 - What do Mike and Chuck actually disagree on? 00:18:08 - James Talarico vs Ken Paxton for Texas Subscribe to our channel here: https://bbc.in/bbcnews For the latest news download the BBC News app or visit BBC.com/news #BBCNews