Around 54% of Latinos report using WhatsApp, compared to 31% of Black adults and even smaller shares of those Whites (20%), according to Statista. The instant messaging has become one of the most popular channels for the demographic to find information and, in many cases, to spread misinformation as well.
Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign team has decided to focus on the positives of the platform, by launching a WhatsApp channel aimed at engaging Latino voters, a key demographic in the upcoming election. The initiative coincides with the start of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, Illinois, where Harris and vice-presidential candidate Governor Tim Walz will deliver speeches accepting their nominations.
"While Donald Trump vilifies our community at every turn and uses us as a political punching bag, Vice President Harris and Governor Walz know the power of our community and are fighting everyday on the issues that matter to Latino voters," Maca Casado, the campaign's Hispanic media director, said in a statement obtained by The Hill. "Now more than ever, we must meet Latinos where they are, and creative programs like this WhatsApp channel are how this campaign will reach the voters who will decide this election and win in November."
The campaign described the WhatsApp channel as the first of its kind in a presidential election, designed to reach and mobilize voters in an increasingly fragmented media landscape. The channel, managed by the group Latinos con Harris-Walz, is expected to offer content tailored specifically to Latino voters.
Julie Chávez Rodríguez, campaign manager for Harris and Walz, introduced the channel in a bilingual video, encouraging Latino voters to share campaign messages with their families. She highlighted the channel as a source of behind-the-scenes information and updates on how Harris and Walz plan to support Latino families.
So proud to launch Latinos con Harris-Walz WhatsApp Channel. Join us today and share it on all your familia and friends WhatsApp chats today! https://t.co/kcqfhHzhc1
— Julie Chavez Rodriguez (@JulieR2022) August 19, 2024
A recent analysis by Equis Research found that the Harris' campaign has been a "reset" for the Latino electorate. The Equis poll in seven battleground states, conducted between July 22 and August 4 among registered voters, showed Harris ahead of Trump by 56% to 37%. The previous study, fielded May 16-June 6 when Biden was still the presidential candidate, had the incumbent ahead by 5 percentage points (46% to 41%).
Her support is even steeper among younger Latinos as support from those under 40 is 17 points higher than Biden's was.
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