LAS VEGAS — Walking out of a grocery store in a Latino neighborhood on the east side of the city, Flor Elena Fernandez says she’s wrestling with who to vote for in this year’s election.
The 36-year old housekeeping manager worries about the cost of food. She worries about the cost of living.
“We’re all waiting for what is going to happen, especially us Hispanics, says Fernandez, who is originally from Cuba. “The economy is bad. We’re waiting to see what happens.”
Her one and a half year old son, dressed in a red Flash superhero shirt is riding in the cart. Her mom also walks along, smiling knowingly.
Flor Maria Parra, Fernandez’ mother, explains that she’s already decided.
“Yes, for Kamala Harris,” Parra, explains. “At least with Hispanics, she defends the Hispanics a lot, while Trump throws them out.”
Around 1 in 5 voters in the Silver State are Latino. That’s more political power than the group has in almost any of the other 7 key states in the electoral college count.
President Biden barely squeezed out a victory in Nevada, in part by winning 60% of the Latino vote, but polls suggest Trump has stronger Latino support than previous Republican campaigns.