In this powerful episode recorded during the government shutdown, Chuck Rocha welcomes Congresswoman-elect Adelita Grijalva to discuss the unprecedented delay in her swearing-in. Despite winning her Arizona CD-7 special election 29 days prior, Speaker Johnson has refused to swear her in, leaving 812,000 constituents without representation.

Adelita shares the personal cost of running for office—resigning from her paid position, only to face obstruction after her victory. She reveals how constituent service offices have been shuttered, staff phones confiscated, and how she's literally locked out of functioning as a representative while federal workers in her district go unpaid.

The conversation explores the potential political motivations behind the delay, including her role as the crucial 218th vote needed for a bipartisan discharge petition to release the Epstein files. Adelita also discusses her campaign strategy, how she outperformed both Kamala Harris and her late father's margins in the heavily Latino border district, and the old-school door-to-door approach that won her the race.

From fancy beans to mariachi music, this episode introduces listeners to a fierce advocate following in her father Raúl Grijalva's footsteps while forging her own path in Congress—if they'll finally let her in.

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Recorded October 22, 2025.

🎙️ Featuring: Congresswoman-Elect Adelita Grijalva (Arizona Congressional District 7

Check out Adelita Grijalva:

• on X: https://x.com/AdelitaForAZ
• on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adelitaforcongress/
• Website: https://www.adelitaforcongress.com/

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Check out Gina Hinojosa's interview announcing her run for Texas Governor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kocf9-4zPtw

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Chuck Rocha returns from his Texas homecoming with stories about reuniting with his high school buddies and Mexican family, reflecting on how working-class communities have shifted from Democratic strongholds to Republican territory over the past 30 years. Mike Madrid joins from Mexico to discuss the looming Supreme Court decision that could dismantle Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act—potentially costing Democrats 20 House seats and eliminating minority district protections forever.

Our hosts dive deep into the emerging Black-Brown political tensions as Latino populations grow in historically African American districts, examining real-world examples from Dallas and California. They also analyze the Middle East ceasefire, condemn racist text messages from Young Republican leadership, and debate Maine's Democratic Senate primary between establishment favorite Governor Mills and working-class outsider Graham Plattner—an oyster farmer and veteran who represents the generational change the party desperately needs.

Plus: Updates on the government shutdown contest, Texas gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa's announcement, and why Congresswoman-elect Adelita Grijalva still hasn't been sworn in despite needing a paycheck.

Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more episodes of The Latino Vote Podcast!

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Comment your guess on how long the government shutdown will last! Closest comment will get:

1. The Latino Vote Podcast T-Shirt
2. 'Tío Bernie' book signed by Chuck Rocha: https://www.tioberniebook.com/
3. 'The Latino Century' book signed by Mike Madrid: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Latino-Century/Mike-Madrid/9781668015278

*Must comment before notice of end of government shutdown.
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Chuck and Mike dive into the government shutdown now entering its second week, debating whether it will last a month or wrap up sooner. They break down the explosive Virginia AG race where text messages about violence have upended the Democratic campaign, discuss New Jersey's tight Senate race, and explore why working-class Latinos are feeling disconnected from both parties.

Our hosts analyze major fundraising numbers and the rise of new progressive candidates, including Jon Ossoff's $12 million haul and a Texas state rep who raised $6 million in just 31 days. They examine David Hogg's new PAC backing challengers to Democratic incumbents, the California governor's race after Katie Porter's viral meltdown, and why Prop 50's opposition is running out of money.

Plus: Chuck shares insights from canvassing Latino voters in Paterson, NJ, discusses why Democrats need to reconnect with faith communities, and reveals his newfound obsession with "The Chosen" TV series. Mike breaks down the Tennessee special elections that could shift House control and why authentic candidates like the Maine oyster farmer are resonating with voters.

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News from this episode:

• Politico - 'Jay Jones texting scandal breathes new life into GOP push in Virginia': https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/08/jones-fallout-00596731
• CBS Evening News - 'Katie Porter has fiery exchange with reporter': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJOhyFViMac
• Axios  - 'Activist David Hogg struggles in push for new generation of Dem leaders': https://www.axios.com/2025/10/02/david-hogg-pac-democrats-struggles
• AP - 'Georgia Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff raises $12 million for 2026 reelection': https://apnews.com/article/georgia-democrat-2026-senate-jon-ossoff-fundraising-74b9232ae5779f34d96f852db7eeb455

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Recorded on October 8, 2025.

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Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more episodes of The Latino Vote Podcast!

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Read the September 2025, New York Times/Sienna poll here: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/10/02/polls/times-siena-poll-registered-voter-crosstabs.html
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Mike Madrid and Chuck Rocha dive into the escalating government shutdown fight, asking who benefits, who gets blamed, and what it means for Democrats heading into the midterms. From debates over health care messaging to the political fallout for Trump, Schumer, and beyond, the hosts explore why Democrats may be “racing against time” and what’s at stake in Virginia, New Jersey, and the broader midterm elections. Our hosts also unpack Trump’s unprecedented gathering of military leaders along with the risks of his military deployment to Portland, while also drawing connections between country and ranchera music.
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Recorded Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
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Chuck Rocha and Mike Madrid break down what a looming government shutdown really means — and why it could hand extraordinary power to Donald Trump, reshaping which agencies stay open and which close. Our hosts also analyze the results of Arizona’s Grijalva special election, revealing how local Latino candidates are outperforming national Democrats.

With their trademark candor and humor — from Chuck’s Everglades fishing tournament to Mike’s allergy-fueled rants — the hosts highlight what both sides need to understand before Latinos reshape the nation’s political future.
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Recorded September 24, 2025.
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Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more episodes of The Latino Vote Podcast!

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Read The Bulwark's 'Exclusive Focus Group: Trump Bleeding Latino Voters' by Adrian Carrasquillo here: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/exclusive-focus-group-trump-bleeding-latino-voters-support

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Kicking off our first Hispanic Heritage Month episode, Chuck Rocha welcomes back our good friend (and reporter for the Bulwark), Adrian Carrasquillo, to unpack the latest focus group findings with Latino Trump voters who now regret their 2020 choice—yet remain hesitant to back Democrats. The conversation explores how economic anxiety, affordability, and immigration intersect in shaping Latino political attitudes, and why Democrats risk missing an opening if they don’t present a clear plan.

Beyond politics, Chuck and Adrian swap stories about Hispanic Heritage Month in D.C., Bad Bunny’s cultural impact, and even their own fitness journeys.

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Recorded September 17, 2025.

🎙️ Featuring: Adrian Carrasquillo (Huddled Masses Newsletter:https://www.thebulwark.com/s/huddled-masses)

Adrian on X: https://x.com/Carrasquillo

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Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more episodes of The Latino Vote Podcast!

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Chuck Rocha is back with stories of climbing Yosemite's Half Dome and fishing in Belize, but the tone quickly shifts as he and Mike Madrid confront the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk. Together, they reflect on America’s rising political violence, and how social media and polarization are fueling America’s darkest impulses. From Civil War analogies to personal stories of friendship across partisan lines, this episode asks: Can we still find what binds us together as a nation?
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Recorded September 11, 2025.
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Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more episodes of The Latino Vote Podcast!

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Check out the Los Angeles Times' article on UC Berkeley's Institute of Governmental Studies poll: 'Most California voters disapprove of Trump’s immigration enforcement policies, poll shows' - https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-08-24/la-me-latimes-berkeley-poll-on-immigration

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Mike Madrid sits down with Los Angeles Times reporter Andrea Castillo to unpack a groundbreaking UC Berkeley poll on immigration attitudes in California. They dig into surprising fractures within the Republican base, how Latino opinions shift across generations, and the widening gender divide shaping politics. Andrea also shares insights from her reporting on detention facilities, deportations, and her own journey as a journalist covering immigration in Washington, DC.

Listen in for a deep dive into how immigration debates are reshaping politics in California and across the country.

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Recorded August 28, 2025.

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Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more episodes of The Latino Vote Podcast!

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Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheLatino_Vote

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Chuck Rocha and Mike Madrid dig into fresh polling from EquisLab — the “Memo: Summer 2025 Latino PulseCheck” — and lay out why a sizable slice of 2024 Latino Trump voters are disappointed or regretful, especially on the economy, mass deportations, rising costs, and cuts to social programs. From concerns about ICE's use of 'indefinite detention' to fears of Medicaid/SNAP cuts in the GOP’s “big, beautiful bill,” Chuck and Mike map out the political danger — and the opportunity — of refocusing on affordability, blue-collar messaging, and localized persuasion. 

They also walk through the looming California redistricting fight, upcoming off-cycle races in Virginia and New Jersey, and why both parties risk losing Latino trust. Plus—Chuck shares his plans to tackle Yosemite’s Half Dome, while Mike preps for the political battles back in Sacramento.
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Recorded August 20, 2025.
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• Check out Equis Research 'Memo: Summer 2025 Latino PulseCheck': https://www.weareequis.us/research/memo-july-2025-latino-pulsecheck

Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more episodes of The Latino Vote Podcast!

Watch our episodes on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@thelatinovotepodcast

Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/TheLatino_Vote

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After a week away, Chuck Rocha returns from New Orleans to Washington D.C. where Trump’s show of military force has locals on edge. The two dig into what’s really behind the spectacle—midterm messaging, crime politics, and redistricting battles. Chuck assesses the messaging battlefield for the 2026 midterms, while Mike presses that the key to Democrats winning is through the Latino Vote, rather than pursuing a redistricting fiasco. With anecdotes from Netroots Nation, a look at Ruben Gallego’s approach to winning over working-class voters, and a blunt conversation about what Democrats must do to avoid losing the Latino Vote again, you won't want to miss this episode.
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Recorded August 13, 2025.
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Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more episodes of The Latino Vote Podcast!

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Visit our website for the latest Latino Vote news and subscribe to our newsletter: latinos.vote

If you want more of our discussions and behind the scenes please join our Patreon (www.patreon.com/thelatinovote) for exclusive content and opportunities!