New study shows 40 percent of Latinos concerned Democrats are embracing socialism

There is reason to believe that Latinos – who account for around 1 in 8 eligible voters – are growing weary of the Democratic Party’s progressive platform, which is often reminiscent of the socialist policies that many Latino families attempted to leave behind when they immigrated to the United States.  

While this was once nothing more than a point of conjecture, new research released on Tuesday by the Democratic research firm Equis found that more than 40 percent of Latinos feel that Democrats are embracing socialist policies.

But concerns surrounding American politicians embracing socialism increase by generation, and perhaps counterintuitively, there isn’t a drop-off as Latinos become assimilated — it is, in fact, the opposite. According to the report, 45 percent of immigrants are concerned about socialism compared to 59 percent of fourth generation Latinos.

This challenges the narrative which claims that only those fleeing left-wing regimes are aware of the dangers of socialism.

But the study also reinforced previous insights, including data that showed that Latinos are most concerned with economic issues.

Now, it would appear, Latinos are willing to vote for issues that are integral parts of the GOP’s platform.

As the Equis analysis notes, “The debate over whether to prioritize the economy or public health in the middle of COVID — a debate that became, for some, about the value of hard work and the American Dream — created a permission structure for formerly hesitant Latinos to embrace Trump’s candidacy.”

As one polled individual noted:

“I’m super Mexican, but just the way he wanted to keep jobs here, and the way he wanted to promote the economy, that was something admirable... We were doing good as a country.”

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio – a long time champion of free-markets and individual freedom – has tapped into this feeling amongst Latinos and believes that the GOP ultimately offers a better solution for such Latinos who favor hard work and economic opportunity. Speaking to ADN America, the senator said:  

“Republicans are fighting for things that just make sense for working families: safer communities, more involvement from parents in their kids’ education, bringing good jobs back to America, defending people of faith. These are the things that matter to normal people.”

But as the Equis study shows, a fear of “socialism” ultimately encompasses a wide range of complaints surrounding government control over people’s lives, taxes and unbridled social spending.

Ultimately, Latinos appear to be concerned over people becoming “lazy & dependent on government” by those who highly value “hard work.”

While the study recognizes that Democrats continue to enjoy some natural advantages — specifically on caring more about “people like you” — now is the time for both parties to reengage the Hispanic community within its own terms, specifically in areas like: "valuing hard work, standing for the American Dream, and helping American workers."