A new statewide survey commissioned by Mijente reveals a clear and urgent message from Texas Latino voters. They are struggling with the rising cost of living, frustrated with the state’s direction, and need leadership that delivers real solutions. As the largest and fastest-growing demographic in Texas, Latinos hold the power to reshape the political future of the state. Now, they are demanding more — from both parties.
Our survey, conducted by RG Strategies, highlights that jobs, economy, and inflation are at the forefront of Texas Latinos’ minds. Significantly, 73% of respondents identified controlling inflation and reducing the cost of everyday items as critical. So, it’s no surprise that 60% of Latino voters believe Texas is on the wrong track.
Key Frustrations with Abbott’s Leadership
In particular, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has been a focal point of dissatisfaction. The numbers reveal deep frustrations as everyday expenses continue to skyrocket while wages remain stagnant for many working-class Latino families. While 8% of respondents believe that Abbott has done well, overwhelmingly Latinos share the sentiment that he has abandoned Texas. Results showed that:
- 64% are unhappy with Abbott’s handling of inflation and the rising cost of living
- 61% oppose Abbott’s abortion restrictions
- 55% are dissatisfied with Abbott’s overall performance
Abbott’s failures extend beyond economic mismanagement. The survey shows that 59% of Latino voters are unhappy with his handling of the Texas power grid. This is an issue that produced deadly blackouts and left millions of Texans freezing during the 2021 winter storm. And last year, during summer heatwaves Abbott continued to fail on curbing energy issues, focusing instead on banning mandatory water breaks for construction workers.
Similarly, 57% of voters disapprove of Abbott’s harsh immigration policies that use state resources to create dangerous border enforcement operations. This is crucial information, as we’ve seen immigration narratives shifting further to the right for both Republicans and Democrats. However, it’s clear that the way Abbott is addressing issues like immigration is not the path forward — and it is not popular with our community.
Across Key Texas Issues, Lack of Trust Remains
Still, immigration is not the only issue where Abbott is failing. Voters also voiced dissatisfaction with Abbott’s approach to school vouchers (54% disapprove) and the overall economy (52% disapprove). As Governor Abbott continues to focus on divisive culture wars, Latino families feel left behind. Abbott’s compassion is nonexistent, while our communities struggle with rising costs, poor infrastructure, and limited economic opportunity.
While dissatisfaction with Abbott is clear, the survey also reveals slight leanings towards Democrats on key issues like healthcare, reproductive rights, and gun safety. However, Latinos in Texas remain unconvinced that either party is ready to tackle the economic challenges they face.
- On healthcare, 56% trust Democrats, compared to just 27% who trust Republicans.
- On reproductive rights, 60% trust Democrats, while only 27% trust Republicans.
- But when it comes to reducing inflation, just 45% of Latinos trust Democrats, compared to 39% who trust Republicans.
This split demonstrates that while Latino voters may align with Democrats on social issues, they remain skeptical of both parties’ ability to improve their daily lives. Jobs, wages, and inflation are front and center for Texas Latinos, and so far, no party has effectively addressed these concerns.
The Need for Real, Sustainable Economic Opportunities
In summary, Mijente’s political strategist Mayra Lopez-Zuñiga explained what’s at stake and where Texas Latinos stand:
The data shows that Texas Democrats have an opportunity to win over Latino voters, but it won’t happen by default. Nearly 80% of respondents said they are concerned about their personal economic situation. They’re feeling stuck, squeezed by high costs, and desperate for change. If Democrats want to maintain and grow their support among Latino voters, they need to present bold, concrete solutions that lift Latino families out of poverty and provide real, sustainable economic opportunities. Without such action, Democrats risk losing the Latino vote to a Republican Party that continues to make gains, particularly in areas like South Texas, where conservative values on social issues and border security have resonated with some Latino voters.