Latino celebrities endorse all kinds of products like clothing, cosmetics, and other brands, but when it comes to politics many either band with the community they grew up in, follow whatever their parents supported growing up, or consciously created a view of their own.
Some issues that can sway a Latino vote could be immigration, education, employment or the lack of inclusion of Afro-Latinos, which consist of 25% of the Latino in the United States . In many cases Latino’s will look to some voices in the community, whether a pastor, friend, media and possibly a celebrity endorsement.
In the last few elections, many mainstream Latino celebrities have come out to voice their support for a candidate. Rosario Dawson and Wilmer Valderama support the Vote Latino movement, while John Leguizamo has his NGL Collective which supports a Progressive platform and actress singer Maria Conchita Alonso, Jose Luis Rodriguez's daughers Liliana Rodríguez and Lilibeth Morillo and actor Eduardo Verastegui who supports a Republican agenda.
Univision host of El Gordo y La Flaca Raul De Molina has hosted fundraisers in the past for Hillary Clinton and has posted photos with Joe Biden. Former Apprentice alumni Katrina Campins, a Cuban-American, is a full supporter of the Trump campaign creating a group called Latinas for Trump and signing up radio host and Congress candidate Ileana Garcia as well.
Other Trump supporters include: MMA fighter Tito Ortiz, former NY Yankees great Mariano Rivera, UFC Champ Jorge Masvidal, actor Lorenzo Lamas, and former Miss Universe Alicia Machado. Also due to his journalistic duties hasn't officially endorsed the President, but Geraldo Rivera has shown support for Trump.
Biden supporters include an array of Latin superstars that include: Salma Hayek, Jennifer Lopez, Eva Longoria, America Ferrera, Jane the Virgin’s Gina Rodriguez and singer Ricky Martin.
Although many believe that Latino’s in general vote blue, many beg to differ. President Donald Trump won almost a third of the Latino vote in 2016, according to a Pew Research. The Republican doesn’t only come from Cubans and Catholics, but from many party loyalist that don’t necessarily like President Trump, but rather voting Republican.
In 2016, 27 Million Latino’s, mostly millennials, we’re eligible to vote, up an outstanding 4 million from the previous election. These stats will change once the Census is complete and many sway voters that will switch for a various of reasons whether they’re in the service, BLM, or being a big fan of Marc Anthony.
Anthony actually tweeted his discontent about Trump, “"What does it matter how much money you have when everything that comes out of your mouth isn't worth 2 cents?" The salsa singer has supported many Democratic candidates.
Despite the various opinions, in the recent first Presidential Debate, a Telemundo/Twitter showed that Trump did better in the debate with 66%. Telemundo presenter Jose Diaz-Balart also stated that this wasn't a "scientific poll".
Does a celebrities preach really help the vote? As they say, “every vote counts”.
We will have to see this coming Nov. 3, 2020. Last day to register to vote is October 5th.