The Latino Vote

America thinks it knows the story of the border. According to New York Times political reporter and author Jazmine Ulloa, it doesn't.

Jazmine joins Chuck Rocha and Mike Madrid to discuss her groundbreaking new book El Paso — part memoir, part history, part love story — and why the city at the heart of America's immigration debate has been misread, misrepresented, and misused for decades.

Jazmine was sitting in a movie theater when her phone wouldn't stop buzzing. The 2019 El Paso mass shooting, a racially motivated attack three minutes from where she went to high school, became the catalyst for a book years in the making. Through the stories of five families who crossed through El Paso dating back to the Mexican Revolution, Jazmine dismantles the myth of the "Hispanic invasion" and reveals a city that existed long before the United States did.

From the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo to family separations under the bridge, from Los Niños Héroes to the rise of the grand replacement theory, El Paso makes the case that this isn't a border crisis. It's a mirror.

Chuck and Mike also dig into the California Governor's race, breaking down the Eric Swalwell implosion, Xavier Becerra's surge among working-class Latino voters, and why with early ballots dropping in two weeks, the real election has already begun.

In This Episode:

• How the 2019 El Paso shooting launched Jazmine's journey to write the book
• Why El Paso, not Ellis Island, is the true lens for understanding American immigration
• Nativism, xenophobia and the grand replacement theory: what history actually shows
• Why working-class Latinos feel abandoned by both political parties
• The California Governor's race: Becerra, Swalwell, Villaraigosa and early voting is right around the corner
• Latino Vote Summit: June 23rd, Washington D.C.

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We highly recommend Jazmine's book: El Paso: Five Families and One Hundred Years of Blood, Migration, Race, and Memory.
Buy it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/El-Paso-Families-Hundred-Migration/dp/0593471865
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Recorded April 22, 2026
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Referenced in the episode:

• The New York Times - A Startlingly Vivid Portrait of El Paso, and of America: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/01/books/review/el-paso-jazmine-ulloa.html

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

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

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Mike Madrid sits down with longtime California leader Hector De La Torre Romo for a powerful conversation on public service, immigration, corruption, and the future of working-class Latino communities.

Hector shares the remarkable story of his parents' journey from a dirt-floor shack in Guadalajara to a working-class home in Southgate, CA... and how their struggle shaped everything he's become. From translating real estate documents as a seven-year-old to serving in the California State Assembly, Hector shares a deeply personal story shaped by faith, struggle, and a relentless commitment to justice. His story is the Latino story.

They dive into:

• The Latino migration experience through the gateway cities of Southeast LA County
• How the closing of GM and Firestone plants transformed Southgate from 70% white to 80% Latino in just one decade
• The shocking Southgate corruption scandal, and how Hector risked his life to fight it
• His surprising family connection to Santo Toribio Romo, the patron saint of migrants
• Why Mexican Catholicism is rooted in social justice, not social conservatism
• His vision for Congress: Medicare buy-in reform, healthcare transparency, and government ethics
• How Democrats can counter Trump's narrative with an affirmative agenda
• The truth about ICE detention and the U.S. citizens being swept up in enforcement

Now Hector de la Torre is running for Congress in California's newly created 41st district. CA 41 is a blue-collar, majority-Latino seat that reflects the heart of Latino America.

Learn about Hector's campaign by visiting: https://www.hectordelatorreforcongress.com/

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Recorded April 10, 2026

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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

Find us on Substack: https://substack.com/@thelatinovotepodcast

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

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Mike Madrid sits down one-on-one with Xavier Becerra, the frontrunning Democratic candidate for California Governor, for a candid conversation about the week that catapulted him to the top of the race.

Secretary Becerra opens up about:

• His sudden surge to the front of the Democratic primary field
• What the Latino and working-class vote means for California's future
• The biggest rally of his political career — and what it told him about the electorate
• Why this moment in California could have major implications for the rest of the nation

Plus, Mike shares on-the-ground insights from hundreds of voters who are fueling Becerra's rise — and why the polls completely missed it.

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Catch Mike's behind-the-scenes visit to Becerra's campaign rally: https://youtu.be/X5ENv7oaVuU?si=Zf_ltHVv4fUMtbjI

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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

Find us on Substack: https://substack.com/@thelatinovotepodcast

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

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!

Chuck Rocha and Mike Madrid are back together for a must-see episode. The data is undeniable: Latino voters are shifting away from the Republican Party at historic speed, and the 2026 midterms may be more consequential for the Latino community than any election in recent memory.

Chuck and Mike break down the explosive overperformance by Democrats in recent special elections, including a 23-point swing in the Marjorie Taylor Greene seat in Georgia and a 56-point shift in heavily Latino precincts in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Then they go district by district through Cook Political Report's 17 toss-up House seats, showing how the Latino vote will be the margin of victory in the majority of them.

Also the Latino Vote Summit is scheduled for June 23 in Washington D.C. If you are interested in sponsoring (or attending), email us at [email protected].

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Recorded April 8, 2026

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Referenced in the episode:

• The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter - 2026 CPR House Race Ratings: https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/house-race-ratings
• Georgia Secretary of State Website - Georgia Election Results April 7, 2026 – Special Election: https://results.sos.ga.gov/results/public/Georgia/elections/40726SpecialElection
• NBC News -  Wisconsin State Supreme Court Results 2026: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-elections/wisconsin-state-supreme-court-results

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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

Find us on Substack: https://substack.com/@thelatinovotepodcast

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

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!

Mike Madrid flies solo this week, and delivers one of the most data-packed, unfiltered episodes yet. No Chuck Rocha means no filter. Just raw polling analysis and the hard truths about what the numbers mean for Latino voters heading into the 2026 midterms.

Mike breaks down why Donald Trump is polling at historic lows. TRUMP'S WORST APPROVAL RATING EVER. Worse than Nixon during Watergate, worse than Biden at his worst, and worse than any second-term president in modern polling history. He digs into new data showing Trump underwater on every major issue, with immigration remaining his only relative strength. And even that is slipping. With all this bad news, Mike ponders how this effects the 2026 midterms and whether Democrats are on track for a major wave election.

But the real fire comes in the second half. Mike takes on both parties for failing Latino voters, with tons of evidence to back it. A Los Angeles Times article (depicting recent UC Berkeley data) shows working-class Latinos are leaving California over affordability. New data documenting persistent housing and wage gaps (UCLA LPPI research), and the fact that over half of Latino children in California are enrolled in Medi-Cal (Population Reference Bureau). He asks the uncomfortable question: if Latinos have the political power to change all of this, why aren't their own elected officials using it?
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Recorded April 3, 2026.
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Referenced in the episode:

• CNN poll conducted by SSRS Trump approval economy
• G. Elliott Morris / Silver Bulletin - The six big events that have dragged down Donald Trump's approval rating: https://www.gelliottmorris.com/p/2026-04-03-cotw-trump-approval-changepoints-analysis
• Newsweek - Republicans Brace for Midterms Massacre: https://www.newsweek.com/republicans-brace-for-midterms-massacre-11771849
• Los Angeles Times - Life after California: People find dramatically lower costs, are more likely to buy homes, new data show: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-03-31/life-after-california-people-find-dramatically-lower-costs-buy-homes-new-research-shows
• Population Reference Bureau - Medi-Cal Average Monthly Enrollment, by Race/Ethnicity: https://kidsdata.org/topic/735/medi-cal-monthly-enrollment-race/trend#fmt=2337&loc=2&tf=67,165&ch=10&pdist=73

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

Find us on Substack: https://substack.com/@thelatinovotepodcast

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

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!

Tejano music star Bobby Pulido (José Roberto Pulido Jr.) returns to the Latino Vote Podcast after securing the 2026 Democratic Primary win for Texas's 15th congressional district to discuss why his campaign is turning heads across the country.

Bobby breaks down how how his campaign turned a political attack about quinceañeras into a viral movement with over 2,000 families inviting him to celebrate with them, why rapid response and instinct matter more than focus groups, and how his team has kept Republican incumbent Monica de la Cruz on defense from day one.

In this episode:

• How Bobby Pulido went from singer to congressional candidate in South Texas
• The quinceañera attack that backfired on Monica de la Cruz — and how Bobby owned it
• Bobby's responses to recent ICE detaining including the teenage mariachi brothers
• Why Democrats should champion God, Family, and Country
• The Latino voter shift: Trump regret, tariffs, and what's actually moving voters in 2026
• How Bobby plans to win young Latino men back
• The Latino Vote Summit: June 23rd in Washington, D.C.

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Recorded March 25, 2026

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Support Bobby Pulido's Campaign: https://bobbypulidofortexas.com

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Referenced this episode:

• The New York Times - Texas 15th Congressional District Primary Election Results: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/us/elections/results-texas-us-house-15-primary.html
• mitú - Bobby Pulido Took His Campaign to Quinceañeras and People Are Loving It: https://wearemitu.com/wearemitu/news/bobby-pulido-people-over-party-campaign/
• CBS News - ICE detention of South Texas mariachi band teen brothers sparks bipartisan backlash: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/ice-detention-teen-brothers-south-texas-mariachi-band-bipartisan-backlash/
• El Paso Times - Hinojosa polling strong in red Texas districts, Abbott touts border security: https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/politics/elections/2026/03/12/texas-governors-race-how-is-gina-hinojosa-doing-in-election-polls/89117713007/
• The New York Times - Florida Special Election Results: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/us/elections/results-florida-special-march-24.html

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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

Find us on Substack: https://substack.com/@thelatinovotepodcast

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

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!

Breaking news shakes the Latino community as a bombshell New York Times investigation into César Chávez forces a major moment of reckoning. Chuck Rocha and Mike Madrid react in real time and unpack what these disturbing allegations mean for Latino political identity, labor history, and how we honor movements without deifying individuals.

Then, the guys break down the Illinois Senate primary results: Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton edges out Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi in a stunning upset — and Chuck is fired up that in a race where $50 MILLION was spent, virtually nothing went toward Spanish-language Latino outreach. They compare it directly to the winning strategy used in Texas and explain exactly why Democrats keep making the same mistake.

Plus — Republicans are quietly panicking. New focus groups and internal polling show the GOP may be in serious trouble with Latino voters after their post-election honeymoon collapsed in record time.

And finally, Chuck and Mike make their BIGGEST announcement yet: The Latino Vote Summit is happening June 23rd in Washington, D.C. — an invite-only, one-day convening of Latino leaders across business, labor, and politics. Don't miss how to get on the list.

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Recorded March 18, 2026

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Referenced in the episode:

• The New York Times - Cesar Chavez, a Civil Rights Icon, Is Accused of Abusing Girls for Years: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/18/us/cesar-chavez-sexual-abuse-allegations-ufw.html
• The New York Times - Who Is Dolores Huerta, the Activist Accusing Chavez?: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/18/us/dolores-huerta-cesar-chavez-allegations-ufw.html
• NPR - Illinois Primary Election Results 2026: https://apps.npr.org/primary-election-results-2026/states/IL.html
• NPR - Democrats set a turnout record in Texas, so is this the year it turns blue?: https://www.npr.org/2026/03/13/nx-s1-5745932/texas-primary-democrats-turnout-talarico-crockett
• Punchbowl News - The Latino vote could crush Republicans: https://punchbowl.news/article/house/latino-vote-gop/
• Statement from the UFW Foundation: https://ufwfoundation.org/statement-from-the-ufw-foundation

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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

Find us on Substack: https://substack.com/@thelatinovotepodcast

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

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!

In this must-watch episode, hosts Chuck Rocha and Mike Madrid sit down with Daniel Alegre, CEO of TelevisaUnivision, the largest Latino media network in the United States, to break down the freshest polling data on what's driving Latino voters heading into the 2026 midterm elections.

Daniel shares brand-new polling conducted with Harris that reveals:

• 📊 76% of Latino voters say cost of living and inflation are their top concern
• 📊 82% of Latinos believe their vote is a critically deciding factor in elections
• 📊 50% of all new voter registrations are Hispanic — and that number is accelerating

The conversation gets into exactly where campaigns go wrong — from last-minute Spanish-language ad buys to ignoring the community entirely — and what campaigns like Ruben Gallego's, and James Talarico's did right to win the Latino vote.

Topics Covered:

• Why affordability, cost of living, and inflation dominate Latino voter priorities
• How 50% of new voters in recent elections are Latino
• The role of Spanish-language media like Univision in shaping political messaging
• Why the Latino vote could decide key races in California, Texas, Arizona, and Florida

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Recorded March 11, 2026

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Referenced in the episode:

• New TelevisaUnivision & Harris Texas Latino Voter Study - HIGHLIGHTS MAJORS STRATEGIC DISCONNECT BETWEEN ELECTED LEADERS AND HISPANIC VOTERS IN TEXAS: https://corporate.televisaunivision.com/tu-harris-poll-texas/

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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

Find us on Substack: https://substack.com/@thelatinovotepodcast

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

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!

The Latino vote just reshaped the Texas Democratic primary—and the political establishment still doesn’t fully understand why.

In this episode of the Latino Vote Podcast, Chuck Rocha and Mike Madrid break down the stunning results from the Texas primary and what they reveal about the growing power of Latino voters in American politics.

From record Latino turnout in the Rio Grande Valley and Houston to the campaign strategy that powered James Talarico’s victory, this episode dives into the data, the messaging, and the ground game that actually moved voters.

Chuck shares behind-the-scenes insights from the campaign:

• 28,000 volunteers mobilized
• 4.7 million peer-to-peer texts
• 100,000+ door conversations
• Millions invested in Spanish-language media and culturally targeted outreach

Mike and Chuck also discuss:

• The 60-40 Latino split that determined the Talarico-Crockett race
• Why cultural competency and early outreach matter
• The emerging national Latino voting trend heading into 2026
• What a new California Latino voter poll reveals about the governor’s race

Are Latino voters becoming the most powerful swing voting bloc in American politics? We told you that 2026 was our year.

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Recorded March 5, 2026.

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Referenced in the episode:

• The New York Times - 'How Latino Voters Helped Talarico Win in Texas': https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/03/04/us/elections/texas-primary-talarico-crockett-results-votes.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
• CBS News - 'Julie Johnson, Colin Allred advance to runoff in Texas' 33rd Congressional District Democratic primary': https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/texas-33rd-district-democratic-primary-results-allred-johnson/
• California Governor’s Race 2026 – Likely Latino Voters by David Binder Research: https://latinos.vote/posts-pollresults-cagovernor-mar2026/
• Politico - 'GOP targets California for ballot fight on voter ID': https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/02/california-voter-id-00807437

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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

Find us on Substack: https://substack.com/@thelatinovotepodcast

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

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!

For those of you who missed it, we hosted a live recording on our Substack, Monday, March 2nd. We appreciate everyone who joined and offered their input!

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Recording a day before the Texas 2026 Primary, Chuck Rocha and Mike Madrid talk everything Texas.
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Make sure to subscribe to our substack for in-depth articles on our episodes and to attend live recordings: https://thelatinovotepodcast.substack.com/

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

Find us on Substack: https://substack.com/@thelatinovotepodcast

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

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!