Voto Latino announced on Monday its endorsement of Vice President Harris for the White House, dedicating its entire 2024 campaign budget to her cause.
The civic engagement group, influential in Latino campaign politics, previously supported President Biden’s reelection and opposes former President Trump.
“As far right extremists seek to demonize immigrants, shatter our democracy, and curtail our rights at every turn, Vice President Kamala Harris has led the defense of our multicultural democracy. Her long-standing support for working Americans, voting rights, DACA, and for women’s rights have done so much good for our country and the Latino community — and it has never been more important,” said María Teresa Kumar, president of Voto Latino.
Voto Latino’s 2024 campaign is hitting the road, after a mostly-digital 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“In 2020, Voto Latino endorsed Joe Biden in the face of an unprecedented threat to our community and our country. His exceptional term has earned our admiration and respect,” Kumar stated in response to Biden’s decision not to seek reelection.
“Now more than ever we must unite our efforts to make sure Trump is not elected in November. The stakes have never been higher. If Trump returns to the White House, he’ll execute his anti-democracy and extreme platform. He will continue dehumanizing immigrants and will deploy our military to round-up people who they deem look undocumented. Trump also will expand the cottage industry of detention centers across the nation where no one is safe – U.S. citizens or not,” Kumar added.
Trump threatened to disrupt the GOP if he wasn’t nominated and refused to step aside. In contrast, Biden prioritized the nation’s well-being over personal ambitions, a move that has revitalized and unified the Democratic party. And Trump is enraged, writing on social media that he was ‘forced to spend time and money’ against Biden and now has to ‘start all over again.’”
Meanwhile, Harris has experienced a surge in donations.
Within hours, contributions surpassed $50 million, demonstrating overwhelming support. All major Democratic figures, including potential challengers, have endorsed Harris, along with all 50 state Democratic chairs.
Key Latino political entities swiftly rallied behind Harris following Biden’s endorsement of her as his successor.
Organizations such as UnidosUS Action Fund, Latino Victory Fund, Bold PAC (the Congressional Hispanic Caucus campaign arm), Nuestro PAC, Poder PAC, and CASA in Action all pledged their support for Harris between Sunday and Monday.
