Trump Is Losing Texas Hispanic Voters – The news just keeps getting worse for the Republican Party, with new reporting showing President Donald Trump losing the support of Hispanic voters in Texas only two years after he made historic gains with the demographic. The news leaves Republicans even more exposed in congressional districts previously considered safe. The news comes from polling released this week that shows Hispanic voters abandoning President Trump and his agenda over the rising cost of living, as well as his administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement tactics, and general frustration with the Republican Party more broadly.
With just two weeks before the November 3 midterm elections, the Democrats are now racing to make big gains in competitive Texas congressional districts.
President Donald Trump signs Executive Orders, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)
President Donald Trump signs Executive Orders, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)
The report, published by the BBC on Friday, October 23, reveals how Hispanic voters across the Rio Grande Valley — including those who voted for President Trump in three elections — are now preparing to vote for the Democrats. Other reporting from The Texas Tribune, published on October 22, shows the same trend, with voters again citing high energy prices and Trump’s immigration enforcement as reasons for abandoning his party.
What the BBC Found
In its new investigation, the BBC reports that a growing number of Hispanic voters across the Rio Grande Valley are turning on the president despite previously supporting his agenda — including strengthening border controls and deporting illegal immigrants. Among the voters who spoke to the BBC was Mario Guerrero, a Mexican-American businessman who voted for Trump three times and is now preparing to vote Democrat. Guerrero told the outlet that immigration enforcement has damaged local businesses, including construction firms struggling to find workers.
He explained that a local contractor who previously employed 35 workers now struggles to get even six workers to show up.
The BBC also spoke with Javier Villalobos, McAllen’s Republican mayor. He praised the president for reducing illegal border crossings but also said that deporting law-abiding and productive illegal aliens is a problem.
Meanwhile, Catholic priest Father Roy Snipes, who has served the community for the last fifty years, offered criticism of federal immigration enforcement during a church service that was attended largely by Hispanic worshippers. The findings matter not only because Republicans are already losing support more broadly across the country, but because the president won about 55% of Hispanic voters in the state in 2024—more than any other Republican presidential candidate.
Former Trump Backers Turn Against His Party
The BBC isn’t the only outlet tracking Trump’s falling support among Hispanics. A Texas Tribune report published on Thursday, October 22, showed similar dissatisfaction. The newspaper spoke with Carlos Cancino, a small business owner from Edinburg, who said he previously supported the president despite political disagreements with his wife.
“My wife and I used to get into big old arguments during the elections, because she doesn’t like Trump,” he said. “And I was a Trump supporter. We used to literally fight and not talk for, like, several days.”
“Now I can’t stand the guy,” he continued. “I can’t stand the Republican Party.”
The report painted a now-familiar picture, describing rising concerns about gasoline prices and the economic consequences of the war with Iran, as well as Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement policy.
Polling Confirms It
The data backs this apparent trend, too. A Pew Research Center survey published on October 16 showed that only 24% of Hispanic registered voters nationwide approve of the president’s performance, down from 38% in February, before the Iran war began.
The survey found that Hispanic voters who supported Trump in 2024 are losing confidence, with his approval rating among that demographic falling from 93% to 57%.
The survey, conducted between September 28 and October 4, also found that Democrats led Republicans 51% to 24% among Hispanic registered voters asked about their congressional candidates. 70% said that President Trump’s policies had hurt Hispanic Americans; 61% said that their personal situation had deteriorated over the last year.
Republicans Could Lose Key Texas Seats
Falling Hispanic support for the president is likely to hurt Republicans in the state, with the data showing Republicans could lose control of the 15th Congressional District. Incumbent Rep. Monica De La Cruz is competing to keep her seat against an insurgent Democratic challenger, Bobby Pulido.
A poll from Texas Southern University, conducted between October 13 and 16, showed Pulido leading De La Cruz 51% to 44%, despite Republicans redrawing the district last year in a way analysts believe gave the party an electoral advantage. Pulido leads 57% to 40% among Hispanic likely voters.
Republicans also risk losing a Senate seat in the state, with an October 18 CBS News poll showing Democrat James Talarico leading Republican Ken Paxton by a small margin — 51% to 49%.
About the Author: Jack Buckby
Jack Buckby is a British researcher and analyst specializing in defense and national security, based in New York. His work focuses on military capability, procurement, and strategic competition, and he produces and edits analysis for policy and defense audiences. He brings extensive editorial experience, with a career output spanning over 1,000 articles at National Security Journal, and has previously authored books and papers on extremism and deradicalization.
