SAN DIEGO — Experts say a growing number of Latino voters helped Donald Trump secure his second presidential win.
According to a CBS exit poll, Trump received 45% of the Latino vote, which is an 11% increase from 2020. That same poll found 65% of Latinos voted for Joe Biden in 2020, compared to 53% for Kamala Harris in 2024.
"To say that we are elated would be an understatement," said Linda Lopez-Alvarez with the group Escondido Republican Women.
Lopez-Alvarez explained why she never doubted Trump would win the presidential election.
"In 2016 we had that silent majority, but it was too big this time. And I just had a gut feeling, and I believe in the American people. I think they spoke loud and clear last night."
Lopez-Alvarez has met Trump, and served as a delegate at the Republican convention a number of times.
She says Latinos are increasingly supporting Trump because they have conservative family values, and aren't seeing their lives improve with Democrats in charge.
"The most important thing is to take care of our families. And if you can't afford groceries and you can't afford gas to get to work, all those extras are impossible to give your children," said Lopez-Alvarez.
Rafael Fernandez De Castro, Director of UCSD's Center for US-Mexican Studies told CBS 8 the increase in Latino support for trump did not come as a surprise for the reasons Lopez-Alvarez explained, as well as the fact this year's pool included a lot of first time Latino voters.
"Young Latino voters, they didn't experience his presidency in 2016 to 2020. I will say a lot of them voted for him because, I will say he represents easy answers to the problems," said Fernandez De Castro.
One of those problems is the economy, which was listed as a top concern in the CBS exit poll.
Regarding Trump's anti-immigration rhetoric and border policies, Fernandez De Castro says Latino voters believe his insults don't apply to them, and the majority want a more secure border.
"The immigrants that come first, they want others to continue to come, because they believe that this might depress the salaries."
Fernandez De Castro says Trump's anti-abortion policies also resonated with Latino voters.
Moving forward, he believes their influence on elections will continue to grow.
"Almost 14 million Latinos did not register to vote. So there's another registration of Latinos."
As for Lopez-Alvarez, she plans to be at the inauguration, telling CBS8 no matter who you voted for, she hopes for a less divisive future.
"I think it's time for us to come together as Americans."