2015 was a banner year for People For the American Way’s Latinos Vote! program, which works to expose and counter anti-immigrant, anti-Latino rhetoric and policies from the far-right, the Republican Party, and GOP presidential candidates.
In 2015, PFAW was on the ground in key states discussing the importance of the Latino vote and the extreme agendas of the Republican Party and its presidential candidates. Frequently, we were joined by PFAW board member and civil rights icon Dolores Huerta in our efforts. PFAW also launched numerous Spanish-language radio and digital ads as part of our program.
PFAW’s Latinos Vote! 2015 Highlights
GOP Debates
Colorado
Leading up to the Republican debate in Colorado, PFAW organized a Latino voters and leaders roundtable to address the anti-immigrant, anti-Latino rhetoric and stances of the GOP candidates. Dolores Huerta and CO State Rep. Salazar headlined the event. Huerta also joined PFAW to participate in the My Country, My Vote rally in Boulder, CO before the debate.
Selected coverage:
NBC.com: Before GOP Debate, Political Opposites Condemn Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric
Fox News Latino: Latinos analizan inmigración y otros temas prioritarios en encuentro Denver
Univision Denver: Dolores Huerta conversa con votantes hispanos en Colorado
Telemundo Denver: Candidatos republicanos debatirán en Colorado
Latin Life Denver: “If We Don’t Vote The Haters Win,” Dolores Huerta, Colorado Latino Leaders and Voters Speak Out Against Republican Candidates
Wisconsin
Before the GOP debate in Wisconsin, Dolores Huerta joined PFAW staff and activists in Milwaukee to protest the extreme Republican candidates. PFAW partnered with local groups including Voces de la Frontera for a press conference and rally.
Selected coverage:
Univision: Debate republicano se llevaría a cabo en medio del tema migratorio
Latina Magazine: Dolores Huerta Sounds Off On the GOP Candidates for President
The Nation: A Billionaire, Some Millionaires, and a No-Show Senator Debate How Best to Block Wage Hikes
Telemundo Wisconsin: Dolores Huerta participó en una marcha en protesta al debate republicano en Milwaukee
CBS 58: 'Stop the Hate' Group to March Tuesday
Nevada
Huerta also traveled with PFAW to Las Vegas, Nevada for the most recent GOP debate. She participated in a Latino voters and leaders roundtable and spoke at the #NoHateDebate rally outside of the debate.
Selected coverage:
PBS Las Vegas: Ralston Live
El Tiempo: “Latinos decidan próximas elecciones”: Dolores Huerta
Las Vegas Review-Journal: Candidates Roll Through Las Vegas Ahead of Tuesday’s Debate
Univision Las Vegas: Varios manifestantes se expresan en contra de discursos anti-inmigrantes de pre-candidatos a la pres
An opinion piece by Dolores was also published on Univision.com before the debate: “Dolores Huerta: La guerra abierta de los republicanos contra latinos e inmigrantes.”
Statewide Elections
Virginia
Leading up to Virginia’s State Senate elections, PFAW launched the first Spanish-language ads to use Trump’s bigoted rhetoric to encourage voters to turn out to the polls. Dolores Huerta also joined PFAW staff and activists on the ground to get out the vote in Northern Virginia.
Selected coverage:
USA Today: How Trump is Helping Clinton: Latino Mobilization Takes Shape
Reuters: Trump Becomes Poster Boy for Efforts to Mobilize 2016 Latino Voters
Washington Post: Anti-Trump Ads to Soon Air on Spanish-Language Radio Stations in Northern Virginia
Washington Post: Democrats Use Anti-Trump Sentiment to Win Latino Votes in Local Elections
El Tiempo Latino: Dolores Huerta: “el voto latino traerá el cambio”
La Opinion: “Callarle la bocota a Trump”: comercial electoral enfocado en movilizar enojo de latinos
Huerta also appeared on Telemundo DC on the weekend leading up to the election to discuss the importance of the Latino vote and encourage voters to cast a ballot in the upcoming elections.
North Carolina
Dolores Huerta traveled with PFAW to North Carolina to get out the vote leading up to local elections in North Carolina, and to protest Gov. McCrory’s decision to sign a severely anti-immigrant bill, HB-318, into law.
In addition to numerous Spanish-language radio interviews, top coverage included:
La Noticia: Dolores Huerta: A votar para sacar a los antiinmigrantes del gobierno
El Progreso Hispano: Dolores Huerta rechaza en Charlotte la HB318
Mundo Latino: ¡A Votar!…es el mensaje para los nuevos ciudadanos USCIS juramentó a 50 nuevos ciudadanos en Charlotte
Scott Walker ALEC Conference
Just after announcing his candidacy for the president, Scott Walker headlined the annual meeting of the far-right, corporate-led American Legislative Exchange Council in California. Dolores Huerta joined PFAW to protest the event on the ground, and PFAW launched Spanish- and English- language ads in Wisconsin, California, Virginia, Ohio, Colorado, and North Carolina targeting Walker for his ALEC appearance and anti-immigrant stances.
Watch the ads here.
Selected coverage:
Los Angeles Times: In San Diego, Union Members Protest Conservative Group’s Gathering
Latin Post: Scott Walker on Immigration: Progressive Groups, Civil Rights Icon Dolores Huerta Takes Aim at 'Terrible' Walker
Fox News Latino: Activistas reciben con protestas reunión de ALEC en California
Jeb Bush Presidential Announcement
PFAW ran digital ads on Univision.com and in Florida, Colorado, North Carolina, and Virginia the week that Jeb Bush announced his campaign for president. The ad highlighted Bush’s opposition to the minimum wage and to a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
Watch the ad here.
Selected coverage:
La Opinion: Dolores Huerta: “Jeb Bush Dice lo Que le Conviene”
Sunshine State News: On His Announcement Day, Democrats Go After Jeb Bush
The Pueblo Chieftain: Huerta: Jeb Bush Against Latinos
Viva Colorado also ran a piece by Dolores Huerta that targeted Bush for his harmful rhetoric and policies following his presidential announcement, “Un vistazo al precandidato republicano Jeb Bush.”
Marco Rubio Presidential Announcement
On the morning that Marco Rubio officially launched his presidential campaign, PFAW released Spanish-language radio ads that ran in Florida and Colorado criticizing Rubio for his dangerous agenda that ignores the interests of working families, including Latinos.
Listen to the ad, and read the English translation, here.
Selected coverage:
Tampa Bay Times: Spanish-Language Radio Ad Goes After Marco Rubio
El Nuevo Herald: El republican Marco Rubio se lanza a la presidencia
The Hill: Progressives: Rubio Bad for Middle Class
Dolores Huerta also published an op-ed in Florida’s El Nuevo Herald following Rubio’s announcement, “Marco Rubio, el candidato equivocado.”
Additional Highlights
In January, PFAW teamed up with American Bridge to release a Spanish language ad targeting Majority Whip Steve Scalise for speaking to a white supremacist group and calling out the Republican Party for its embrace of extremism.
Early this year, PFAW released a new report on the Libre Initiative, a right-wing organization attempting to win over Latino votes for the Republican Party, as part of our efforts to counter the Koch-funded organization.
Throughout 2015, PFAW has continually spoken out as GOP presidential candidates and the Republican Party followed Trump’s lead in anti-immigrant, anti-Latino rhetoric and policy positions. Additional press highlights, including op-eds by PFAW staff and PFAW board member Dolores Huerta included:
Univision: Al Punto con Jorge Ramos
USA Today: Dolores Huerta: El poder de la comunidad hispana el día de las elecciones
Univision.com: Marco Rubio eliminará la protección a jóvenes indocumentados aún sin reforma migratoria
Latin Post: People for the American Way's Carlos Sanchez Says GOP Needs Accountability in Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric
Fox News Latino: Opinion: GOP Targets Latinos’ Ability to Vote
El Tiempo Latino: Por qué los candidatos republicanos son malos para nuestra comunidad
Latina Magazine: Marco Rubio Says He’d End DACA if President
2016 Elections
PFAW’s Latinos Vote! program in 2016 will continue to expose and counter anti-immigrant, anti-Latino rhetoric and policies of the Republican Party and GOP presidential candidates. For more information about our program, please contact Laura Epstein ([email protected]).
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