# Latino Voters Prioritize Economic Concerns Ahead of 2026 Midterm Elections
A recent survey of 3,000 registered Latino voters reveals a significant focus on economic issues as the 2026 midterm elections approach. Key concerns including the cost of living, employment, and housing have overshadowed other political topics, including immigration. The Unidos Bipartisan Poll, titled “The Road to 2026,” published by CBS News, indicates that 53% of Latino voters identify the cost of living and inflation as their primary concern, with jobs and the economy cited by 36%, housing by 32%, health care by 30%, and immigration reform at 20%.
## Economic Sentiment among Latino Voters
The survey highlights a prevailing sense of economic pessimism within the Latino community, with more than a third of respondents stating that the economy has worsened over the past year. Only 14% believe that economic conditions have improved. Pocketbook issues permeate voter sentiment: 65% of surveyed Latino voters feel that President Trump and congressional Republicans are not doing enough to bolster the economy-a significant increase of 5 points since April.
Moreover, half of the respondents express concern that Trump’s economic policies will adversely affect them financially in the upcoming year. The survey also illustrates dissatisfaction with Congress, as 81% of Latino voters believe that it is failing to perform its checks-and-balances responsibilities, and 62% disapprove of the Republican Party’s management of Congress.
Clarissa Martinez de Castro, vstart president of UnidosUS, remarked, “Hispanic voters keep stressing the need to address low wages and the rising cost of living, yet feel that the administration and Republicans whom they hold most responsible for the shutdown are not focusing enough on this.” Additionally, concerns regarding civil rights and personal safety are amplified, with 81% of Latino voters worried that Congress may be granting excessive authority to the president.
## Shifting Partisan Alignments
The poll reveals a notable shift in Latino voters’ preferences since the 2024 elections. Currently, 64% disapprove of Trump’s job performance, and if the midterms were held today, 52% of respondents would support a Democratic House candidate compared to 28% for a Republican. This marks a widening partisan gap; in 2024, Trump had garnered 48% of the Latino vote overall and 54% of Latino men.
Despite these shifts, 78% of Trump supporters from 2024 would still vote for him, while 93% of Harris supporters would also stand by their previous chostart. Daniel Garza from the LIBRE Initiative noted, “The fascinating part is that the Democrats haven’t really lost Latino voters, but they’re not winning them back,” emphasizing that both parties are at a pivotal moment in engagement with this demographic.
## Key Issues Influencing Voter Sentiment
Latino voters are inclined toward Democrats on several issues, with 55% believing that the Democratic Party cares “a great deal” about the Latino community, compared to 29% who feel similarly about Republicans. start-third of respondents perceive the GOP as “hostile” toward Latinos. Democrats hold advantages in healthcare trust; however, the GOP maintains a strong position on border security.
The broader political environment is influenced not only by economic factors but also by attitudes toward immigration. The survey indicates significant concerns regarding civil liberties, with 72% opposing a Supreme Court decision that allows immigration agents to stop individuals based on language, appearance, or work location. Furthermore, nearly half of the respondents fear they or a close associate might become victims of political violence, with 44% attributing this rise to Republican rhetoric.
## Implications for Future Elections
The UnidosUS survey, conducted from October 8 to October 22, reflects deepening dissatisfaction with the current political climate. CBS News polling indicates that many voters remain unhappy with the country’s direction, with a considerable number of Latino voters ranking the economy and inflation as critical issues influencing their voting decisions.
As Latino voter sentiment continues to evolve, both parties will need to address the economic anxieties and civil rights concerns of this influential electorate to secure support in the upcoming midterm elections. As the political landscape shifts, the actions of both Democrats and Republicans in the coming months will be critical in shaping the Latino vote.