As Vice President Kamala Harris gains momentum in Pennsylvania— one of the key battleground states that will likely play a key role in deciding who the next President of the U.S. will be— the state's Governor and rising Democratic star, Josh Shapiro, is urging party members to continue energizing the Latino electorate nationwide.
The Governor, who was also among the finalists to become Harris' running mate in November, stopped by the Labor Council meeting during the first day of the Democratic National Convention, which kicked off Monday in Chicago. During a follow-up with reporters, he urged his fellow Democrats to listen to Latinos.
"Do what I've tried to do: show up, listen, speak to the issues on people's minds in the Latino community and elsewhere," Shapiro said.
Pennsylvania is home to a growing community of Latinos. For instance, in Reading, a town around 60 miles away from Philadelphia, Latinos account for 67% of the population, making it a key town for both Harris and former President Donald Trump as they seek to win Pennsylvania.
As the community grows in the commonwealth, Gov. Shapiro acknowledged that Latinos' priorities are similar to those of the rest of the population.
"[Latinos] basically want the same things that most other Pennsylvanians do," Shapiro said. "They want good schools for their kids, they want safe communities, they want economic opportunities, and they want the government to protect their freedoms, not restrict them."
"It is also critically important to show up in [Latino] neighborhoods, as I've tried to do, to look people in the eye, to listen to them and to make sure they know you're fighting for them and delivering for them," he continued.
Shapiro's remarks come as the Democratic presidential ticket gains momentum in Pennsylvania.
A new poll by TelevisaUnivision's Strategy & Insights highlights that 39% of Latinos said they definitely plan to vote for Harris in November, a 10 point improvement compared to the answer given for president Joe Biden before he announced he would drop out of the race.
The poll also found that 42% of Hispanic voters have a favorable opinion of Harris, compared to only 22% who do of Trump.
The recent study also shows Latinos prioritize the economy in the upcoming elections, with 82% citing the cost of living as a major concern, compared to 77% of non-Hispanics. Latinos also tend to be more likely to believe that the Democratic party can handle economic issues (55% vs. 41%) — such as inflation, gas prices and housing costs— and are more optimistic about their future (60% vs. 48%).
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