Washington, D.C.—People For the American Way’s Latinos Vote! program just released a hard-hitting, Spanish-language television ad that will beginning running on Tuesday, Oct. 30, in the Rio Grande Valley media market. The ad will also run in digital placements targeting voters across the state. The ad unmasks Sen. Ted Cruz’s attacks on protections for pre-existing conditions, public schools, and DREAMers.
“On issues that matter to Latinos in Texas, Ted Cruz is worse than Donald Trump,” PFAW Political Director Lizet Ocampo said. “Cruz would rather shut down the government than protect people with pre-existing conditions. He would rather deport DREAMers than pass real, humane immigration reform. He’d rather gut public schools through voucher programs than protect the right of a free public education for everyone.”
“We are going to make sure Spanish-speaking voters in the Lone Star State understand the difference between Cruz’s cruel plan for Texas’ future and Beto O’Rourke’s hopeful vision for the country,” Ocampo added.
On the issues that matter most to Latinos, Cruz is wrong for Texas.
A recent survey by Jolt Initiative found that 29 percent of Texas Latinos between ages 18 and 44 named universal health care as the top issue to get them involved politically, followed by the 28 percent who name a path to citizenship for immigrants such as DACA recipients as most important.
Ted Cruz is the leading opponent of the Affordable Care Act and its protections for people with pre-existing conditions—and he forced a government shutdown to prove it. He has also stated that he wants to deport DREAMers rather than work to pass comprehensive immigration reform.
The Larger Context: Reaching Out to Latino Voters Nationwide
While news stories have repeatedly echoed the message that Democrats and progressive groups “have a Latino problem,” People For the American Way’s Latinos Vote!project is mounting its most robust effort ever. PFAW’s Latinos Vote! program exposes and counters anti-immigrant, anti-Latino rhetoric and policies. Through electoral work, we hold groups, leaders and influencers accountable at the polls for the harm they do to immigrant and Latino communities.
Among other activities this year, PFAW board member Dolores Huerta has been barnstorming the country, including recent stops in Arizona, Florida, and Texas, and she plans to return to Texas before Election Day. In addition, the group is running ads and working to turn out the Latino vote in key races across the country.
Full Text of Ad Script and Translation
VOICEOVER:
Esta elección histórica está en tus manos!
El republicano Ted Cruz votó para:
- anular la ley de salud,
- quitar fondos educativos públicos,
- y deportar a los DREAMers,
- y es peor que Trump!
Pero el democrota Beto O’Rourke ampliará oportunidades educativas, crecerá cobertura médica, luchará por inmigrantes, y aumentara trabajos que pagan bien.
Ve y vota por democrota Beto O’Rourke para senador!
ENGLISH TRANSLATION:
This historic election is in your hands!
Republican Ted Cruz voted to:
- Repeal the ACA,
- Take away public school funds,
- And deport DREAMers.
- And is worse than Trump!
But Democrat Beto O’Rourke will expand educational opportunities, increase medical coverage, fight for immigrants, and increase good paying jobs.
Go and vote for Democrat Beto O’Rourke for Senate!
View the ad online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0O2qtyaTAgY
People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and defend constitutional values including free expression, religious liberty, equal justice under the law, and the right to meaningfully participate in our democracy. Learn more: https://www.pfaw.org.