Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. — After yesterday’s Challenger report showed higher job losses than in any month since 2020, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics released the February jobs report, showing that the U.S. unemployment rate ticked up to 4.1%. Melissa Morales, Founder and President of Somos Votantes, reacted with the following statement: 

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“We’re already seeing data that just doesn’t add up to Trump’s ‘greatest jobs president’ promise. After inheriting an economy with strong job creation and declining inflation, Trump self-manufactured his very own economic chaos in just 45 days, and the data this week is showing signs of economic softening. Trump and Musk’s reckless agenda could sink the economy. Our latest polling proves what Latino voters across the country can agree on: Trump’s priorities are out of touch with the economic priorities  of hardworking Latino families.” 

“Latinos’ top concern is lowering the cost of living. Families want relief at the grocery store and gas pump – not handing tax breaks to billionaires like Elon Musk and slashing crucial government programs that give working families the opportunities and tools they need to thrive. Trump keeps pushing failed trickle-down economics, but Latinos aren’t buying it.”

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‍Earlier this week, Somos Votantes released the first post-election poll on Latino voters, providing the earliest and most comprehensive insights into the deep economic anxiety and widespread disapproval of Trump’s economic record: 
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• Economic concerns dominate voter priorities, with 67% rating the U.S. economy as poor and only 14% saying they live comfortably. The cost of living is by far the top concern (50%), followed by healthcare, jobs, and retirement security.
• Trump’s economic record is a major liability – 63% believe he prioritizes the wealthy over working families, and his handling of the economy has a net -13 disapproval rating.
• Trump’s economic agenda is unpopular – including majorities who strongly disapprove of Musk’s DOGE (60%), Trump’s tariffs agenda (60%), and tax cuts for the wealthy (60%). 
• Large majorities of Hispanic/Latino voters rate the U.S. economy as poor, and few believe it is improving. Roughly two-thirds of Hispanic/Latino voters say the economy today is poor (67% negative/poor, 30% positive/good, net -37), and most believe the economy is getting worse (53% worse, 23% staying the same, 20% getting better). As we’ve seen in other similar research among general voters, attitudes towards local economies are slightly less negative (58% negative, 37% positive, net -21).
• There is little separation between how Hispanic/Latino voters rate Trump’s handling of the presidency overall vs. his handling of the economy – with both net negative. By nearly equal margins Hispanic/Latino voters disapprove of Trump’s job performance (43% approve, 54% disapprove, net -11) and his handling of the economy (41% approve, 54% disapprove, net -13).

You can learn more about the poll results here. ‍

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About Somos Votantes

Somos Votantes is a Latino-led, Latino-focused organization that runs some of the largest independent Latino civic and voter engagement programs in the country. We envision a nation where hardworking Latinos have the opportunities and tools to fully participate in our democracy. Somos Votantes seeks to empower hardworking Latinos in shaping the future of our democracy, primarily through non-partisan civic engagement programs, by increasing our participation in elections and advocating for progressive policies. Visit https://www.somosvotantes.com/ for more information on this program and other projects, and follow the organization on Instagram, Facebook, and X.

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