By Jerald Jimenez
Sep 15, 2024, 11:18 AM EDT
Starting this Sunday, the United States will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, a holiday that honors the valuable contributions of the Latino community to the country, which will run until October 15 amid an electoral campaign atmosphere between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump ahead of the presidential elections on November 5.
In his speech to formalize the celebration, President Joe Biden highlighted the fundamental role of Latino leaders in the fight for the American dream and their contribution to the well-being of their communities.
“In our country, Latino leaders are fighting for the American dream and helping those around them achieve it,” the president said.
The president also reviewed the policies implemented in favor of the Latino community, such as job creation, access to health insurance and education, support for Hispanic businesses and immigration protections.
Latinos have been responsible for 71% of the country’s growth between 2022 and 2023 in the US, becoming a key demographic in the political landscape. They currently represent 20% of the US population, and their votes in key states could set the trend in the elections.
The Latino vote is increasingly present
On average, every 22 seconds, a Latino in the U.S. becomes eligible to vote, either by turning 18 or by obtaining U.S. citizenship, according to a study by the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).
The Hispanic vote was divided in the 2020 elections according to origin, state of residence, number of generations in the country, degree of integration and specific interests of each community.
Harris’ campaign, along with her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, has launched a ‘New Path Forward’ tour, which will take them to key states such as North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, coinciding with the start of Hispanic Heritage Month.
On the Republican side, the Trump campaign launched ‘Latin American for Trump’, a coalition that brings together prominent Latinos in various fields, including industry, commerce, education, sports, faith, communications and elected officials.
With information from EFE
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