Candidates vie to win over Texas Latino voters ahead of midterms

Recent polls seem to indicate gains made by President Trump in 2024 among Texas Latino voters may be slipping. Concerns about the economy and immigration enforcement may give Democrats an opening. Fox 4's Casey Stegall, live tonight with why that doesn't guarantee their support. Casey. Yes, Steve Heather, winning their attention is one thing. Winning their confidence is something else altogether. And as we enter the final stretch, candidates are trying to do both. It's no coincidence James Salarico, Ken Paxton, Greg Abbott, and Gina Hinojosa are all speaking directly to Spanish-speaking voters. Texas has about 6.7 million Latinos eligible to vote in the midterms. Only California has more. And historically, Democrats have held the advantage with that block of the electorate. Conservative views on issues like abortion have given Republicans common ground with Hispanic voters. In 2024, affordability concerns and border security helped Donald Trump expand his Texas victory, flipping longtime Democratic strongholds in South Texas. Latino voters are looking at who is going to deliver for them, deliver on health care, on education, on cost of living, on helping them provide for families. Eric Holguin directs Texas's efforts for UnidosUS, the nation's largest nonpartisan Hispanic civil rights group. He says the party that promised to ease their burdens has instead left some families feeling squeezed and targeted, adding that disillusionment could very well be enough to loosen political ties. It's not just bread and eggs and gas, it's ICE enforcement. And that's deeply personal to families who are getting torn apart. They're starting to feel visceral. They're having this visceral reaction to what's happening in their community. Analysts say discontent could follow Republicans into down ballot races, including the contests for governor and US Senate. The president may not be on the ballot, but his policies definitely are on the ballot. But losing faith in one party doesn't mean embracing the other. Some Texans backed President Trump while still electing Democrats to other offices. This cycle will likely test who can keep their trust and who can win it back. So persuading someone is only really the first step. The most important is then getting people to act and actually cast a ballot. Steve, to be continued. Yes, sir. Casey Stegall in the control room. Thanks.