Harris uses ads focusing on health care to appeal to Latinos and criticize Trump.
As the 2024 presidential campaign heats up, Vice President Kamala Harris is making a significant push to win over Latino voters in battleground states. Recent polls have shown that her advantage over former President Donald Trump among Latino voters is smaller than President Biden’s lead in the 2020 election.
Starting this week, Harris’s campaign will launch a health care-focused ad blitz targeting Trump’s stance on health care, portraying him as someone who would “rip health care away” from millions of Latinos, ultimately taking money out of their pockets. While Trump has not focused much on health care during his current campaign, he has discussed the possibility of repealing Obamacare if elected.
During a debate with Harris, Trump expressed his desire to implement a different health care plan that would cost less for the American population and provide better health care than Obamacare. However, he admitted that he only had vague concepts of a plan to replace it. Harris’s campaign is investing $370 million in television and digital ads aimed at reaching voters in key states, both in English and Spanish.
One of the new ads, named “Yamelisa,” features a diabetic resident from Allentown, Pennsylvania, highlighting her struggle to afford insulin after being diagnosed with diabetes at a young age. The ad credits Harris for capping the monthly cost of insulin at $35. Another ad, “Stop Him,” targets Mexican-American voters in Nevada and Arizona, warning them about Trump’s plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act, potentially leaving them uninsured.
Despite Harris’s efforts to appeal to Latino voters, polls show that her support among this demographic is lower than previous Democratic presidential candidates. A recent NBC News poll indicates that Harris has 54% support among Latinos compared to 40% for Trump, a smaller margin than in previous elections. Harris’s support in Arizona is reported to be 49% among Latino voters, trailing behind Biden’s performance in the 2020 election.
On the campaign trail, Harris has emphasized her economic proposals and commitment to helping middle-class Americans. She has pledged to lower the cost of living, including expenses like health care and groceries, to address the concerns of voters across battleground states. However, some voters remain skeptical of both Trump and Harris, particularly on economic issues.
While Harris has relied on surrogates, including her husband Doug Emhoff, to convey her message to Latino voters, some individuals are evaluating their votes beyond political ideologies. Jose Rosado, a resident from Allentown, Pennsylvania, expressed the need for a candidate who prioritizes the well-being of the people over partisan values.
Despite varying opinions among Latino voters, there is a consensus among some that Harris is the preferable choice to prevent a second Trump presidency. Viera Lopez, a retired nurse from Nevada, praised Harris for her commitment to serving the people and not just herself.
As the election approaches, Latino voters in battleground states play a crucial role in determining the outcome. Harris’s efforts to connect with this demographic through targeted ads and surrogates reflect the significance of their support in the upcoming election.
