MIAMI - Miami Mayor Francis Saurez explained the cultural appeal and shift among Hispanics from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party and former President Donald Trump in a recent interview with Kasie Hunt on CNN This Morning.
"I think it has to do a lot with culture. I think it has to do with the fact that the Democrats have had four years under this administration, and Hispanics don't see a record of success," Saurez said. "They see inflation eating their paychecks, and then they see rhetoric that does not motivate them."
Miami-Dade County is roughly 70% Hispanic, including many Cuban and Venezuelan Americans. Since Donald Trump became the Republican nominee for president, the country has shifted away from the Democratic party and has more Hispanics identifying as Republican.
Cubans and Venezuelans have fled oppression to South Florida for decades, largely in part due to economic and political crises. Examples include the Cuban Mariel boatlift in 1980 and the validity of the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election.
"Under President Trump, he was tough on Latin American dictators like Fidel Castro's regime, Raul Castro, and Miguel Diaz-Canel, and also in Venezuela as well. That resonated with the Cuban and Venezuelan communities," Saurez added.
He also criticized Democrats for branding Hispanics monolithically, including as "LatinX." As an example, Saurez referenced First Lady Jill Biden referring to Hispanics as "unique as San Antonio tacos."
"Hispanics just feel disconnected from the Democratic party. They feel the Democratic party has not listened to them, and has not made their lives better, so they're seeking an alternative. "I think that's part of what you see, and I also think the former President has listened," Saurez said. "He's listened better [with] the Hispanic community, and he's tailored his policies to meet the ends of the very diverse Hispanic community."
