Latinos, blacks and gays say • “Harder to come out as a Republican”
“They came from all corners, union and non-union, African-American, Hispanic, Asian-American, Arab-American, Muslim-American,” Donald Trump said of his new constituents in his victory speech. He seems to have won over crucial minority groups in the presidential election – not least Latin American voters.
– Most of the Latin Americans are conservative. We are a conservative people. And the Democrats have gone far to the left, far too far, says 59-year-old Roel Reyes, who lives in Texas.
President-elect Donald Trump has managed to attract new voter groups such as Hispanic and African-American men, but also the suburban middle class. Groups that have turned out to be crucial support troops for Trump’s victory, according to the preliminary surveys.
In his victory speech, he chose to express gratitude to the new constituencies that secured his way back to the White House.
– They came from all corners, union and non-union, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, Arab Americans, Muslim Americans. We had all, and it was beautiful. It was a historic regrouping that united citizens of all backgrounds around a common core ideal of common sense, Trump said during his speech.
According to a survey by Edison Research, the percentage of Hispanic voters increased by 13 percent.
In the most Hispanic area in South Texas, Starr County, voted Republican for the first time in over 100 years, as did traditionally Democratic North Carolina.
“We are a conservative people”
59-year-old Roel Reyes from Texas is one of all Latin Americans who voted for Trump – among other things because he believes that the Democrats have forgotten the “little people”.
– The Democrats are now a completely different party. They have completely forgotten the little people, I think. It’s very, very different. Most of the Latin Americans are conservative. We are a conservative people. And the Democrats have gone far to the left – far too far, says Roel Reyes.
Another voter attracted by Trump’s promises of a growing economy is H. Patricia Little, an African-American who lives in a North Carolina suburb.
– Our small community has become a low-income area. We don’t have shopping centers. We had one, which then closed. So this community is really in need of growth. We want to see growth, for our children, school, education and jobs, says H. Patricia Little.
“We don’t vote for Jesus”
Although Trump and the Democrats’ policies may limit the rights of LGBTQI people, he is supported by some in the LGBTQI world, including 37-year-old Skyler Akind. He now feels welcomed by the Democrats.
– I often joke that it was harder to come out as a Republican than as a homosexual. I say that because the Republicans nowadays welcome everyone. As long as you believe in freedom, limited government power and low taxes, you are welcome. I think the Democrats thought they had a monopoly on certain voter groups such as Hispanics, LGBTQI people and African Americans, said Skyler Akind, 37, of Georgia.
Even the 58-year-old Latin American, Ross Barrera, supports Trump despite the Republican’s “flaws and mistakes”.
– Trump is very straightforward. He is not a politician who says what you want to hear. Sure, he could be wrong, but you know what? We don’t vote for Jesus. We don’t vote for someone who is a saint. There are none. The old man has his flaws. He is human. He’s made some mistakes, but likes the fact that he’s a business guy, said Ross Barrera, 58, of Texas.