From TIME · Lisa García Bedolla · · 2m
Latino voters search for a political home
Texas midterms show Latino voters shifting back toward Democrats after economic hardship and immigration enforcement concerns.
In brief
Texas midterms show Latino voters shifting back toward Democrats after economic hardship and immigration enforcement concerns. Latino voters in Texas shifted sharply toward Democrats in midterms, driven by economic struggles and immigration enforcement fears, but remain skeptical of both parties. Originally reported…
Tejano singer wins Texas seat
Bobby Pulido, a well-known Tejano singer, won about 62% of the vote in Texas' 15th congressional district, unseating incumbent Trump ally Rep. Monica De La Cruz.
Quinceañera strategy flips the script
During her campaign, De La Cruz dismissed Pulido's background, saying this isn't about who you would want to perform at your niece's quinceañera.Pulido proudly stated he had performed at 75 quinceañeras while on the trail.
“this isn't about who you would want to perform at your niece's quinceañera”
District swings sharply toward Democrats
Pulido's victory shifted the recently-redrawn 15th congressional district 42 points toward Democrats compared with the 2024 presidential election, suggesting cultural engagement mobilizes Latino voters.
Economic pain drives Latino concerns
Since 2020, polling shows affordability concerns Latinos most. In a 2025 Equis poll, 29% reported trouble meeting expenses and 32% could just meet expenses with nothing left over.
Grocery and housing struggles widespread
An October 2025 Pew Research poll found 48% of Latino respondents struggled to pay for groceries, medical care, or housing in the past year. Full-time workers faced the same struggles as unemployed Latinos.
Immigration fears run deep
Forty-four percent of Latino adults in the United States are immigrants. An October 2025 Pew survey found 52% of Latino respondents worried they, a family member, or close friend might be deported.
ICE raids reshape communities
Fifty-nine percent of Latino respondents said they had seen or heard of ICE raids in their communities over the past six months.
Rio Grande Valley swings Democratic
Over 90% of the Rio Grande Valley is Latino. Democrats swept all Congressional districts in the valley, including those drawn to favor Republicans, suggesting a shift back toward Democrats.
Latino trust in both parties erodes
In a 2025 Pew survey, 68% of Latino respondents said their situation in the U.S.was worse than a year ago, the first time in over two decades that a majority said their situation had worsened.
Parties must address real concerns
Latino voters will continue searching for a stable political home until candidates take economy, healthcare, and immigration seriously. Both parties have substantial work to build authentic engagement with Latino communities.
The big picture
Latino voters in Texas shifted sharply toward Democrats in midterms, driven by economic struggles and immigration enforcement fears, but remain skeptical of both parties.
