ORLANDO, Fla. \u2013 Florida\u2019s Latino voters could play an important role in the 2026 midterm elections, as Democrats and Republicans work to build on past gains and address the issues shaping voters\u2019 decisions.<\/p>\n
Latinos make up about one in four voters in Florida, representing a diverse electorate with roots across the Caribbean, Central America and South America.<\/p>\n
In 2024, many Latino voters shifted toward Republicans, helping reshape the political landscape. Now, with the midterms approaching, a key question is whether that support will continue.<\/p>\n
News 6 anchor Lauren Melendez spoke with Republican political voice Jaime Florez, Hispanic Communications Director of the Republican National Committee<\/a>, and Chair of the Democratic Party of Puerto Rico<\/a>, Luis D\u00e1vila Pernas, about how their parties are approaching Latino voters \u2014 and where they disagree on the issues that matter most.<\/p>\n The economy remains a central concern<\/p>\n Republicans point to President Donald Trump\u2019s economic message as a major reason Latino voters supported him in 2024. Florez said the GOP wants voters to focus on what he describes as improvements in inflation, prescription drug prices and job creation.<\/p>\n \u201cHe received the country in ruins. We had the worst inflation in over 40 years. Now we have an economy that has inflation under control,\u201d Florez said.<\/p>\n Democrats, however, argue that economic concerns remain a challenge for the administration, pointing to the cost of living and expenses that continue to affect families.<\/p>\n D\u00e1vila Pernas said some Latino voters who supported Trump are now reconsidering that decision.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are a lot of people with buyer\u2019s remorse in the Latino community who feel they were duped,\u201d D\u00e1vila Pernas said.<\/p>\n Cost of living and inflation remain important issues for Latino voters, making the economy a central part of both parties\u2019 efforts to earn their support ahead of November.<\/p>\n Immigration enforcement divides the parties<\/p>\n Immigration is another major issue shaping the political debate, particularly as the Trump administration increases enforcement and changes policies affecting some immigrant communities.<\/p>\n The Department of Homeland Security has reported more than 985,000 deportations since Trump returned to the White House, while the administration has also moved to end Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans and Haitians.<\/p>\n Republicans argue the administration is enforcing existing immigration laws and that asylum protections have legal requirements, which some Latinos may not be following.<\/p>\n \u201cSome people don\u2019t understand the law of legal asylum in the United States. It\u2019s not the fact that the economy in your country is bad that grants you asylum,\u201d Florez said.<\/p>\n [RELATED<\/a>: Everything you need to know to vote in the Florida Midterms]<\/p>\n