Hispanic Voters Send GOP a Warning—and Reveal a Path Back

A new national survey of registered Hispanic voters points to a challenge for Republicans and a potential path to rebuilding support ahead of the midterm elections.

Democrats held a 16.1-point advantage on the congressional generic ballot in the Wick survey of 1,000 registered Hispanic voters. The results also show that economic concerns are dominating voters’ priorities: A majority of respondents said their financial situation had worsened since President Donald Trump took office. However, the findings suggest that Hispanic voters are not broadly rejecting Republican positions on immigration enforcement or cultural issues.

The survey found that 72.7% were more concerned about high prices and the cost of living than immigration enforcement, which 18.6% selected as an issue that concerned them the most. When asked which issue would have the greatest impact on their family’s quality of life, 60% selected lower prices and a lower cost of living, and another 18.9% selected better-paying jobs and higher wages.

Economic pains are also reflected in voters’ assessments of their own finances. More than half, 54.1 %, said their financial situation had worsened since President Donald Trump took office, compared with 14.6% who said it had improved.

Exit polls and post-election surveys estimated that Trump made historic gains among Hispanic voters in the 2024 election.

The results of Monday’s survey display a more complicated picture than the generic ballot alone. Republicans face a clear economic challenge among Hispanic voters, but several of the party’s positions still command majority support.

A majority of respondents, 52.6 %, agreed that local police should cooperate with federal immigration authorities to remove illegal immigrants who committed crimes after entering the country.

On cultural issues, the poll also found that 64.6% agreed that athletes who were born male should not be allowed to compete in girls’ and women’s sports.

The nationwide survey was conducted online from May 21 to May 25 among 1,000 Hispanic respondents and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at the 95 % confidence level.