Diverse and Distinct
Photos by Maria Errico October 29, 2024
Republican strategist Ana Navarro discusses the complexities of the Latino vote
Ridiculous. That鈥檚 how Republican strategist Ana Navarro describes the monolithic notion of 鈥渢he Latino vote.鈥澛
鈥淚t鈥檚 almost as ridiculous as talking about the white vote,鈥 said the political commentator and co-host of The View, who recently sat down with Valerie Biden Owens, chair of 91原创鈥檚 Biden Institute, for a candid conversation on 鈥淭he Impact of the Latino Vote鈥 in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.
The event was hosted by the Biden Institute in collaboration with , and the Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity Inc.聽聽
Speaking on Oct. 15 as part of the Biden Institute to engage students in meaningful dialogue, Navarro highlighted the broad spectrum of political opinions within the Latino population.聽
鈥淭here are progressive Latinos, socially conservative Latinos, pro-life Latinos, pro-choice Latinos, Latinos who have crossed the border, Latinos for whom the border crossed them,鈥 she said.
And while their opinions may vary on hot-button issues like abortion and immigration, Latinos are united by a desire to be recognized and respected for their heritage and contributions to the nation, she added, noting their high rates of .
Speaking to nearly 200 students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members at the Trabant University Center, Navarro鈥檚 message of rich, cultural diversity was reflected in the audience itself.聽
Moses Martinez, a graduate student in the聽, helped organize the event, in part, because the Latino vote is so misunderstood. With a father from Mexico and a mother from Guatemala, the Milford, Delaware, native said that his parents 鈥渓ean right,鈥 while Martinez leans left. 鈥淚t has taught me to see a middle ground, which is important when America is so divided,鈥 he said.聽
Computer science student Diego Quijada hails from Bowie, Maryland, though his family originates from El Salvador. 鈥淚 try to stay away from the two-party system,鈥 Quijada said, 鈥渂ecause I don鈥檛 want to limit my options.鈥澛
Meanwhile, Gabriela Rojas, a finance major from Wilmington, Delaware, whose parents are from Mexico, is still 鈥渆xploring鈥 her political identity. She attended the dinner as a fan of Navarro鈥檚, joining attendees of all ages interested in hearing the pundit鈥檚 perspective.聽
Alumna Karen Queen now lives in Colombia, Maryland, where she works in business development. As a 2004 history graduate, Queen remains fascinated by her degree and tries to attend at least one 91原创 event each year.She was interested in hearing Navarro speak because 鈥渆vents don鈥檛 happen in a vacuum; something led up to it,鈥 Queen said. 鈥淚 like to understand, 鈥楬ow did we get here?鈥 I鈥檓 interested in the shifts in the Latino vote and in what [Navarro] has to say."
Others echoed Queen鈥檚 remarks, while some wondered aloud if Navarro鈥檚 trusty poodle, ChaCha, would make an appearance. Indeed, the puppy did, spending much of the evening nestled comfortably in Owen鈥檚 lap. 聽
A crucial voting bloc
Given the timing of her speech, Navarro reflected on the growing importance of the Hispanic electorate in American politics. With Pennsylvania housing one of the largest Puerto Rican communities in the country, Latino voters are crucial in shaping electoral outcomes in key battleground states.聽
However, Navarro emphasized that their vote cannot be assumed. 鈥淣obody wants to be taken for granted鈥攊t doesn鈥檛 matter the color, gender, group,鈥 she said.
A significant portion of her remarks centered around the reasons some Latinos support Donald Trump, a topic that Navarro admitted she wrestles with herself. She referenced a recent聽聽that found 67% of Latinos surveyed don鈥檛 believe Trump鈥檚 anti-immigrant rhetoric applies to them, illustrating the complexity of his appeal.
When asked by Owens whether Latinos are attracted to the former president鈥檚 policies or personality, Navarro pointed out that for many Latinos fleeing communism, his rhetoric resonates emotionally.聽
Navarro, herself an immigrant from Nicaragua, said that Democrats have failed to counter Republican accusations of being socialists, which triggers deep fears among exiles of authoritarian regimes.
As a vocal critic of Trump, she proposed an alternate script. 鈥淒emocrats should be saying, 鈥楲et me tell you about communism. Communists attack the free press. They refuse to accept fair and true elections if the results don鈥檛 go their way. They incite violence to stay in power.鈥欌澛
Navarro also warned against Trump's language that pits Black Americans against Latinos. She criticized Trump's framing of immigrants as taking away low-skilled jobs from Black workers, calling it a narrow and demeaning view of both groups.聽
Kamala Harris, meanwhile, must be a voice for all Americans, she said, including Latinos.聽
鈥淪peak to us. Make us feel seen,鈥 advised Navarro, who added that Harris鈥 recent appearances on Fox News and other media outlets reflect a commitment to doing so.聽聽
Despite her critiques, Navarro remains a registered Republican because she believes in the importance of a healthy, two-party system.
鈥淏ig problems need bipartisan solutions,鈥 she said. 鈥淎merica is exceptional. There鈥檚 nothing we can鈥檛 do when we are united.鈥澛
About the Biden Institute
The Biden Institute, established at the 91原创鈥檚 Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration in March of 2017, is a world-class intellectual center and destination for scholars, activists, policymakers and national leaders. The mission at the Biden Institute is to bring together the sharpest minds and the most powerful voices to address our nation鈥檚 toughest problems, while educating and engaging the next generation of leaders.
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