The Latino Vote

 Latino voters just delivered one of the biggest political shocks of the 2026 cycle — a 50+ point swing in Latino precincts in a deep-red Texas Senate district. The message is clear: Latinos are no longer loyal to either party, and they’re demanding results.Mike and Chuck dig into what’s really driving Latino voters in 2026: an aspirational, working-class agenda centered on housing, health care, and hope. They unpack why immigration enforcement, economic pain, and cultural backlash are reshaping the electorate, why Republicans are panicking, and why Democrats can’t afford to blow this second chance.The guys also preview Bad Bunny's upcoming Superbowl performance, its significant cultural reference, and the opposing alternative halftime show being pushed by MAGA Trumpers. Send us pictures of your Superbowl Halftime experience!-Recorded February 4, 2026.-Referenced in the episode:Votehub - 2026 Texas Senate District 9 Special Election Interactive Map: https://votehub.com/2026_txsd9_specialABC 7 | WJLA - 'Snowcrete' piles persist as DC leaders push cleanup efforts forward: https://wjla.com/news/local/snowcrete-piles-dc-leaders-push-cleanup-efforts-forward-winter-snow-storm-icicy-roads-streets-public-schools-open-mayor-bowser-residents-safety-community-removal-shovel-fines-senior-housing-sidewalks-streets-dmvThe Guardian - Donald Trump announces plans for Indycar race through Washington DC streets: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jan/30/trump-indycar-grand-prix-washington-dcThe New York Times - Bad Bunny’s All-American, All-Spanish, All-Eyes-on-Him Super Bowl: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/arts/music/bad-bunny-super-bowl-halftime-show.htmlKTLA5 - Kid Rock lyrics about underage girls draw questions ahead of ‘faith and family’-based TPUSA show: https://ktla.com/entertainment/kid-rock-lyrics-about-underage-girls-draw-questions-ahead-of-faith-and-family-based-tpusa-showCheck out the rest of the references and recent news on the latino vote on our website: https://latinos.vote/-Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more episodes of The Latino Vote Podcast!Watch our episodes on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@thelatinovotepodcastFind us on Substack: https://substack.com/@thelatinovotepodcastFollow us on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheLatino_VoteVisit our website for the latest Latino Vote news and subscribe to our newsletter: latinos.voteIf you want more of our discussions and behind the scenes please join our Patreon (www.patreon.com/thelatinovote) for exclusive content and opportunities!

Can we really do 3 more years of this?Chuck Rocha and Mike Madrid mark the one-year anniversary of Trump's second term by dissecting the chaos of his first year back in office. From the Davos speech signaling the end of American global dominance to Trump's bizarre threats against Greenland, Chuck and Mike break down how the president has squandered political capital on foreign distractions instead of addressing what voters actually care about: gas and groceries.Our hosts tackle Trump's immigration overreach, the symbolic terror of his deportation tactics, and how Democrats like Katie Porter and Abigail Spanberger are focusing on real kitchen-table issues like utility costs and childcare. Chuck shares insights from his work on James Talarico's Texas Senate race, including their strategic first ad buy during a Mexico vs. Panama soccer match, while Mike explains why this race could define Latino political identity for years to come.Plus: Chuck announces an upcoming town hall with Senator Ruben Gallego, and previews his Valentine's weekend trip to Oaxaca. Unfiltered, unadulterated, and always speaking truth to power. Enjoy this episode of the Latino Vote Podcast.-Recorded January 21, 2026-Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more episodes of The Latino Vote Podcast!Watch our episodes on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@thelatinovotepodcastFind us on Substack: https://substack.com/@thelatinovotepodcastFollow us on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheLatino_VoteVisit our website for the latest Latino Vote news and subscribe to our newsletter: latinos.voteIf you want more of our discussions and behind the scenes please join our Patreon (www.patreon.com/thelatinovote) for exclusive content and opportunities!

Chuck Rocha returns from his gorilla-tracking adventure in Rwanda (complete with wild stories and a new honorary tribal chief title) to dive deep with Mike Madrid into why Latino voters are uniquely positioned to reshape American politics.In this episode, Mike breaks down the stunning data showing that while other voters remain locked in partisan camps with only 2-3% swings, working-class Latinos are swinging 11-15% between elections—making them the only true swing voting bloc left in America. From kicking out Republicans across the country in 2025 to determining crucial Texas House races in March of this year, Mike and Chuck explore why Latino voters' willingness to hold politicians accountable regardless of party might be the most rational response in an otherwise polarized system.Plus: reflections on faith and politics in Latino communities, the inside story of the Jasmine Crockett-Colin Allred Senate race dynamics, and why this generational transformation will define American politics through 2050. And yes, Chuck shares what it's really like to sit face-to-face with silverback gorillas (spoiler: there's no glass between you).-Recorded: January 14, 2026-Referenced in the episode:Check out Senator Ruben Gallego's 'Path Home' housing affordability plan video: https://x.com/SenRubenGallego/status/2011451211225166201'Can James Talarico Reclaim Christianity for the Left?' form the Ezra Klein podcast: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/13/opinion/ezra-klein-podcast-james-talarico.html-Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more episodes of The Latino Vote Podcast!Watch our episodes on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@thelatinovotepodcastFind us on Substack: https://substack.com/@thelatinovotepodcastFollow us on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheLatino_VoteVisit our website for the latest Latino Vote news and subscribe to our newsletter: latinos.voteIf you want more of our discussions and behind the scenes please join our Patreon (www.patreon.com/thelatinovote) for exclusive content and opportunities!

Meet Mickey Ibarra - a name that defined Latino excellence in Washington D.C. for decades.On this episode of the Latino Vote Voices: Mike Madrid sits down with the former Assistant to President Clinton who went from Utah foster care to the West Wing, and is now preserving Latino stories for future generations.Mickey opens up about his father's path from bracero worker in Oaxaca to successful small business owner in Sacramento, and how reconnecting with his Mexican heritage at age 15 transformed his life during the height of the Chicano movement in 1966. He recounts witnessing Robert F. Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey campaign in 1968, following his father's footsteps to serve in Germany during the Vietnam era, and ultimately finding his calling in public service.As founder of the Latino Leaders Network and author of the newly released "Latino Leaders Speak: Volume Two," Mickey discusses his mission to preserve and celebrate Latino success stories across all sectors of American society. He reflects on the parallels between the turbulent 1960s and today's political climate, offering wisdom on how young Latinos can navigate uncertainty and prepare for opportunities they can't yet imagine.-Recorded Jan 12, 2026.-Check out Mickey Ibarra's latest work: 'Latino Leaders Speak: Personal Stories of Struggle and Triumph, Volume II' -https://artepublicopress.com/product/latino-leaders-speak-personal-stories-of-struggle-and-triumph-volume-ii/Latino Leaders Network Website: https://www.latinoleadersnetwork.org/latino-leaders-speakBill Clinton's ad referenced in the episode: 'A Man From Hope' - https://mediaburn.org/videos/the-man-from-hope/-Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more episodes of The Latino Vote Podcast!Watch our episodes on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@thelatinovotepodcastFind us on Substack: https://substack.com/@thelatinovotepodcastFollow us on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheLatino_VoteVisit our website for the latest Latino Vote news and subscribe to our newsletter: latinos.voteIf you want more of our discussions and behind the scenes please join our Patreon (www.patreon.com/thelatinovote) for exclusive content and opportunities!

Welcome to the 2026 Season Premiere of the Latino Vote Podcast! And what a long year it has already been.Chuck Rocha and Mike Madrid return from the holiday break with heavy hearts as they tackle a tumultuous start to 2026. Our hosts dissect the fatal ICE shooting of Renee Good in Minnesota, Trump's intervention in Venezuela, and what these events signal about America's shift toward authoritarianism both at home and abroad.Drawing on Chuck’s recent travels in Africa and reflections on history, genocide, faith, and humanity, the conversation explores how fear is weaponized, how power is exercised, and why the rule of law feels increasingly fragile. Mike connects the dots between global instability, domestic policy, and the political consequences already reshaping Latino communities—especially as primaries approach in Texas and beyond.But this isn't just doom and gloom. Mike and Chuck chart a path forward for Democrats in 2026, arguing that Latino voters—and all Americans who believe in good over power—need results now.-Recorded December 8, 2026.-Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more episodes of The Latino Vote Podcast!Watch our episodes on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@thelatinovotepodcastFind us on Substack: https://substack.com/@thelatinovotepodcastFollow us on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheLatino_VoteVisit our website for the latest Latino Vote news and subscribe to our newsletter: latinos.voteIf you want more of our discussions and behind the scenes please join our Patreon (www.patreon.com/thelatinovote) for exclusive content and opportunities!

Thank you to all of you, who tuned in to the Latino Vote Podcast this year. Your engagement, support, and passion for Latino political empowerment have made this community what it is. As Chuck and Mike said: 2026 will be the year of the Latino Voter!-In this year-end holiday episode of The Latino Vote Podcast, Chuck Rocha and Mike Madrid take stock of a political year that reshaped American politics — and put Latino voters squarely at the center of what comes next.From Trump fatigue and collapsing approval numbers to redistricting battles in Texas and California, Chuck and Mike break down why 2026 is already shaping up to be the year of the Latino voter. They dive deep into critical upcoming primaries including the Texas Senate race between Talarico and Crockett, the emergence of young Latina candidates like Eva Lopez Chavez in Utah's new district, and the need to elevate Latino voices across the political spectrum.With a surge of Latino candidates running in unexpected places like Utah, Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, 2026 may be the year we build lasting Latino political infrastructure nationwide.-Recorded Dec 17, 2025.-Check out Eva Lopez Chavez' campaign announcement video. Consider donating to help her run for Utah's newly drawn congressional district: https://x.com/evaforutah/status/2000655039271247920-Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more episodes of The Latino Vote Podcast!Watch our episodes on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@thelatinovotepodcastFind us on Substack: https://substack.com/@thelatinovotepodcastFollow us on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheLatino_VoteVisit our website for the latest Latino Vote news and subscribe to our newsletter: latinos.voteIf you want more of our discussions and behind the scenes please join our Patreon (www.patreon.com/thelatinovote) for exclusive content and opportunities!

Chuck Rocha is BACK from the Indian Ocean to break down the SHOCKING Miami mayoral election that has Democrats buzzing and Republicans worried.Esteemed political analyst Fernand Amandi joins Chuck to explain how Democrat Eileen Higgins crushed her Republican opponent by 19 points in a city that's 65%+ Hispanic and where Trump JUST won by 13 points. This wasn't some MAGA extremist losing—it was a respected Cuban-American Republican with Trump's full endorsement.🔥 THE NUMBERS ARE WILD:Hillary won Miami-Dade by 30 points in 2016Trump won it by 13 points in 2024Democrat just won Miami by 19 points in 2025That's a 43-point swing in less than a decade!Fernand reveals why Democrats are now overperforming by DOUBLE DIGITS in special elections across Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, and Virginia. Is Florida back in play for 2026? Are Cuban-American voters shifting again?-🎙️ Featuring: Fernand Amandi - Principal at Bendixen & Amandi International: (https://bendixenandamandi.com/)Find him out on Twitter (also known as X): https://x.com/AmandiOnAir-Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more episodes of The Latino Vote Podcast!Watch our episodes on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@thelatinovotepodcastFind us on Substack: https://substack.com/@thelatinovotepodcastFollow us on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheLatino_VoteVisit our website for the latest Latino Vote news and subscribe to our newsletter: latinos.voteIf you want more of our discussions and behind the scenes please join our Patreon (www.patreon.com/thelatinovote) for exclusive content and opportunities!

*Due to technical issues, the posting of this discussion was delayed. Unfortunately, Bernardo Ruiz's  showcase of his films has already passed. We urge you to check out his work via his website. Our apologies for this error.Acclaimed documentary filmmaker Bernardo Ruiz joins Mike Madrid for an intimate conversation about two decades of capturing the Latino experience on film. From his PBS documentary 'VOCES: Latino Vote 2024' to his explorations of wine country labor and journalism under siege in Mexico, Bernardo has documented the contradictions at the heart of the American relationship with Latino communities.Bernardo discusses his journey from the son of a Mexican musician-turned-monk to becoming one of the most important Latino voices in documentary film. He shares insights from filming across eight states during the 2024 election, explains America's "love-hate relationship" with Latinos, and reveals why the same workers celebrated as "essential" during the pandemic are now being targeted at their worksites.Key Topics Discussed:Ruiz's unconventional path to filmmaking and what drives his workThe evolution from "building monuments to heroes" to taking creative risksAmerica's "love-hate relationship" with Latinos—from celebrating "essential workers" during the pandemic to today's mass deportationsWhy long-form documentary storytelling matters more than ever in the age of hot takes and algorithmsThe story Ruiz wishes he could have told: the deeper meaning of the 2019 El Paso Walmart shootingWhy the Mexican-American diaspora needs its own "chicharron circuit" for community buildingBeing optimistic yet wary about the future of Latino communities in AmericaBernardo Ruiz's films explore the complexity and diversity often missing from mainstream narratives about Latino Americans. His approach—observation first, conclusions later—allows him to capture the moral ambiguity and nuance that gets lost in our polarized media landscape.-Recorded November 17, 2025.🎙️ Featuring: Bernardo Ruiz - Three News & Documentary Emmy Nominee Filmmaker: (https://www.bernardoruiz.com)-Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more episodes of The Latino Vote Podcast!Watch our episodes on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@thelatinovotepodcastFind us on Substack: https://substack.com/@thelatinovotepodcastFollow us on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheLatino_VoteVisit our website for the latest Latino Vote news and subscribe to our newsletter: latinos.voteIf you want more of our discussions and behind the scenes please join our Patreon (www.patreon.com/thelatinovote) for exclusive content and opportunities!

Mike Madrid sits down with one of the most respected voices in Latino research—Dr. Mark Hugo Lopez, Director of Race and Ethnicity at the Pew Research Center—to unpack a brand-new, blockbuster dataset on Latino attitudes on the second Trump administration and their situation in the country.Pew’s October survey of almost 5,000 Latino adults reveals something unprecedented: 65% of Latinos now say the situation for Latinos in the U.S. is worse than a year ago—the highest level of pessimism ever recorded in Pew’s history. Dr. Lopez explains how Latino sentiment has shifted dramatically between the 2024 and 2025 elections, with approval ratings, concerns about immigration enforcement, and feelings about economic policies all showing significant changes.Key topics include:Why one-third of Latinos have considered leaving the United States in the past six monthsHow worry about deportation has jumped from 37% to over 52% since FebruaryThe paradox of personal financial optimism amid broader pessimism about Latino progressWhat validated voter data reveals about Latino Trump voters and their evolving viewsThe decline in Latino immigration for the first time in 50 years and what it means for future generationsDr. Lopez brings decades of expertise tracking the political maturation of the Latino electorate through one of America's most profound demographic transformations. He provides essential context for understanding the dramatic electoral swings we've witnessed and what they signal about Latino political identity in an increasingly US-born, intermarried, and established community.-Recorded December 4, 2025.🎙️ Featuring: Dr. Mark Hugo Lopez - Director of Race and Ethnicity at the Pew Research Center: (https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/mark-hugo-lopez/)Check out Pew Research's report: 'Majorities of Latinos Disapprove of Trump and His Policies on Immigration, Economy': (https://www.pewresearch.org/race-and-ethnicity/2025/11/24/majorities-of-latinos-disapprove-of-trump-and-his-policies-on-immigration-economy/)-Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more episodes of The Latino Vote Podcast!Watch our episodes on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@thelatinovotepodcastFind us on Substack: https://substack.com/@thelatinovotepodcastFollow us on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheLatino_VoteVisit our website for the latest Latino Vote news and subscribe to our newsletter: latinos.voteIf you want more of our discussions and behind the scenes please join our Patreon (www.patreon.com/thelatinovote) for exclusive content and opportunities!

Chuck Rocha and Mike Madrid sit down with Dr. Patricia Campos-Medina — immigrant, labor leader, campaign strategist, and the highest-ranking Latina on Mikie Sherrill's 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial campaign.After New Jersey saw massive Democratic losses among Latino voters in 2024—with Trump gaining up to 24 points in some counties—Mikie Sherrill achieved a stunning turnaround, capturing 68% of the Latino vote.Dr. Campos-Medina pulls back the curtain on one of the largest Latino vote swings in America, explaining how New Jersey Democrats reversed years of GOP gains by rebuilding trust, investing early, and talking directly about the economic crisis Latinos are living every day.Key takeaways include:Why Latinos shifted to Trump in 2024 and what brought them backThe importance of having Latino operatives making decisions, not just translating messagesHow opening up consultant contracts transformed the ground gameThe difference between 30-day campaign investments and year-round community engagementWhy both parties competing for Latino votes strengthens the community's negotiating power-Recorded November 12, 2025.🎙️ Featuring: Dr. Patricia Campos-Medina - President of Latina Civic Action (https://latinacivicaction.com/)Check out her website: https://patriciacamposmedina.com/-Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more episodes of The Latino Vote Podcast!Watch our episodes on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@thelatinovotepodcastFind us on Substack: https://substack.com/@thelatinovotepodcastFollow us on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheLatino_VoteVisit our website for the latest Latino Vote news and subscribe to our newsletter: latinos.voteIf you want more of our discussions and behind the scenes please join our Patreon (www.patreon.com/thelatinovote) for exclusive content and opportunities!