Who Knew Politics Could Be This Complicated?
Erica Perez and the Rise of the Evangelical Latino Vote
Once upon a time, there was an immigrant named Erica Perez who went to church and suddenly had an epiphany about voting. It gets better!
Our story begins in Henderson, Nevada, where Erica – a charming 42-year-old who’s just inches away from fulfilling her American Dream of citizenship – has one clear thought buzzing in her head as she jots down the pastor’s sermon: “When I can, I will vote Republican.”
Like a plot twist from a soap opera, the evangelical congregation she’s part of – Iglesia Torreon Fuerte – has played a delightful little role in her newfound political awakening. You know, “Before I attended church, I was neutral about politics,” she says, almost wistfully, “Now? The responsibility weighs on me like my Aunt Maria’s tamales after the holidays!”
Trump: The Unlikely Evangelical Ally?
Now, here’s where it gets truly spicy: her pastor, Camilo Perez, a former Obama fanboy with a colorful past in Medellin, Colombia, has newly crowned Trump as the messiah for moral values. Who would’ve thought the same pastor would have Trump’s photos saved on his phone, right next to family pictures? It’s like some bizarre modern-day ‘Last Supper,’ where the apostles are replaced with various Republican characters!
Camilo’s affection for Trump isn’t an isolated occurrence. Over 65 million Latinos, making up nearly 20% of the U.S. population, are getting caught in this transformative vibe. With cities like Santa Fe and Los Angeles being their playgrounds, you could say the Latino vote is growing faster than a 90s sitcom revival. But here’s the catch: Latinos have been traditionally painted with a blue brush as Democrats. Oh, but now, the plot thickens!
The Shifting Sands of Political Support
In 2012, a whopping 71% of Latino voters backed Obama, but by 2020, that had dropped to 59% for Biden. Did you feel that chill in the air? It’s the evangelical Latinos trading their blue jerseys for a bit of red, with religion driving their political car. And folks, they’re not merely passengers; they’re in the driver’s seat trying to navigate their complex identities!
Despite being seen as a solid Republican voting bloc (80% of them voted for Trump), there’s a twist! Voices of dissent emerge. Enter Gabriel Salguero, pastor of The Gathering Place, who challenges the stereotype that Latinos and evangelicals are just a Republican buffet. “To think that they can take us for granted – for both parties – is a mistake,” he warns from the pulpit. A little spice goes a long way, doesn’t it?
Straddling Two Worlds
But let’s not kid ourselves – the internal struggle within this community is real. Balancing faith with the fear of immigration policies? That’s a heavyweight fight! The Reverend Arturo Laguna puts it succinctly, capturing the essence of the dilemma: “We are against abortion, but also deeply concerned about immigration issues.”
So, where does that leave our sweet Erica and her fellow evangelicals? They’re at a political buffet but can’t decide between the spicy GOP chili and the soothing Democrat salad. In this upcoming election, the game will be on as 10 million evangelical Latinos step up to the ballot box, asking themselves: “What makes the cut?”
Final Thoughts
As we roll towards the next elections, keep your eyes peeled. The evangelical Latino vote could prove pivotal; they might just be the wild cards in this political poker game. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned today – it’s that political traditions are as flexible as a Cirque du Soleil performer! Whether it’s traditions, religious beliefs, or just a good old-fashioned love for tacos, there’s more than meets the eye with these community votes!
Erica Perez, a 42-year-old immigrant, attends weekly services every Sunday at the Iglesia Torreon Fuerte, located in the suburban community of Henderson, just outside Las Vegas, Nevada. Hailing from Latin America, she primarily communicates in Spanish and has spent years navigating life as an undocumented immigrant. Now, after tireless efforts, she is on the brink of securing her U.S. citizenship. “When I can, I will vote Republican,” she asserts, tightly gripping a notepad filled with her pastor’s teachings. The evangelical congregation she belongs to has played a significant role in shaping her political perspective. “Before I attended church, I was pretty neutral about politics,” Ms. Perez reflects. “Now, I feel a responsibility to vote. Issues like abortion and the legalization of drugs contradict our Christian values.”
THERE ARE THOUSANDS of evangelical Christian Latinos across the United States who share similar sentiments as Mrs. Perez. Among them is Pastor Camilo Perez, a devoted supporter of Donald Trump. Having grown up in the tumultuous environment of Pablo Escobar’s Medellín, Camilo transitioned from being a former Obama supporter to a fervent advocate for conservative values. His confidence in Trump’s presidency is evident: “Trump was a good guardian of the Church and morality. Although he wasn’t traditionally conservative, he has evolved into a staunch defender of many conservative ideals.” The reverend, who proudly keeps photographs from a 2015 event with Trump on his mobile phone, exemplifies the influence that the tycoon’s Christian nationalist agenda has on his congregation.
I LATINOS represent a significant demographic in the USA, with over 65 million individuals of Latin American descent, comprising nearly 20% of the nation’s total population. In populous regions such as Santa Fe, New Mexico, Los Angeles, California, and Miami, Florida, Latinos account for a substantial portion of the residents. The growth rate of this community is remarkable, with a 28% increase driven by higher birth rates and family reunifications, four times that of the national average. In key battleground states like Arizona and Nevada, one in four voters identifies as Latino. Historically, Latinos have been seen as a Democratic bloc, but recent trends indicate a shift toward the right. In 2012, 71% opted for Obama, while in 2020 that number dropped to 59% for Biden. This growing political alignment can be attributed to the waning influence of Catholicism—which, while still the predominant faith, is at an all-time low among this demographic—and the rise of evangelicalism, which has traditionally aligned itself with conservative politics, now representing about 20% of Latino voters.
HOWEVER, we must recognize that evangelical Latinos do not constitute a uniform conservative group. Although 80% cast their votes for Trump in both the 2016 and 2020 elections, dissenting voices exist within this population. Gabriel Salguero, the pastor of The Gathering Place church in Orlando, Florida, adopts a more nuanced stance, highlighting the complexity of calculating political trends within his community. “We start from the assumption that as evangelicals we vote for Republicans; as Latinos, we lean Democratic,” Salguero explains, also noting his role as president of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition, an extensive network of evangelical churches across the U.S. “To assume we can be taken for granted by either party is a miscalculation.” In a more direct challenge, Pero Ruiz-Cantù, founder of the Renace association and a member of the Evangelicals for Harris movement, criticizes Trump’s rhetoric: “God tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves, yet the former president’s messages often radiate hatred, especially towards immigrants.”
IN SHORT, Latinos who identify as evangelicals represent a diverse and complex electoral bloc, marked by profound contradictions as they navigate a political landscape dominated by Donald Trump’s aggressive electoral strategies. Reverend Arturo Laguna, the spiritual leader of the evangelical community Casa di adoracion in Phoenix, Arizona, encapsulates this dilemma: “We are at a complicated crossroads because, on one hand, we oppose abortion, yet on the other, we are troubled by the harsh rhetoric towards immigrants and the absence of meaningful reforms. It’s a challenging decision.” The interplay of ethnic identity and migration experiences with deeply ingrained religious beliefs leaves an open question as to which factor will take precedence when approximately 10 million evangelical Latinos head to the polls across the nation.
**Interview with Erica Perez: Navigating Faith and Politics as an Evangelical Latino Voter**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Erica! Your story highlights a fascinating shift in the Latino evangelical community. Can you start by telling us what inspired your political awakening?
**Erica Perez:** Thank you for having me! Honestly, it all began when I started attending Iglesia Torreon Fuerte. The sermons made me reflect on my values and beliefs, especially regarding family and morality. Before that, I was indifferent about politics, but now I feel a personal responsibility to vote and represent those values.
**Interviewer:** It’s interesting how your pastor’s teachings influenced your views. You mentioned his support for Trump. How do you feel about that, considering his past political affiliations?
**Erica Perez:** It’s definitely surprising! Pastor Camilo was once a fan of Obama, but he believes Trump embodies the moral values that are important to us as a congregation. It’s kind of a double-edged sword—he aligns with Trump’s stance on issues like abortion, but we also have concerns about immigration policies. It’s a complex narrative we’re navigating.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of complexities, the Latino vote has historically leaned Democratic. What do you think contributes to this shift toward more conservative views within your community?
**Erica Perez:** As you mentioned, the numbers speak for themselves. While many Latinos have traditionally supported the Democrats, a growing number of us are reevaluating our choices. We see how conservative values align more closely with our faith. Plus, the influence of the evangelical church is substantial, and that’s pushing many of us toward the Republican party.
**Interviewer:** That’s a significant point. However, there seem to be differing opinions even within the evangelical community. How do you and your church approach this internal division on political ideologies?
**Erica Perez:** It’s a tough conversation. Many of us, like Pastor Gabriel Salguero, emphasize that our voices cannot be taken for granted by either party. We’re grappling with our faith, our experiences as immigrants, and the political landscape. It’s not always black and white for us—and that’s okay. Our community is diverse, and we are proud to express our unique perspectives.
**Interviewer:** Straddling these two worlds must create a lot of internal conflict. How do you personally reconcile your faith with political concerns, especially surrounding immigration?
**Erica Perez:** It’s challenging. Like many evangelical Latinos, I care deeply about issues like the sanctity of life, but I also feel a profound concern for immigrant rights. Our faith teaches compassion and support for the vulnerable, which makes it difficult to square some Republican policies with those values. At the end of the day, I pray for guidance and strive to make choices that reflect both my beliefs and lived experiences.
**Interviewer:** As we approach the upcoming elections, what will be your guiding principle when it comes to voting?
**Erica Perez:** My guiding principle will be to choose candidates that genuinely align with my values, especially concerning family, faith, and community. I want to ensure that my vote reflects where I stand as a person of faith and as an immigrant. I believe that each of our votes can help shape a more inclusive and compassionate future for our community.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Erica, for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us. Your journey exemplifies the complex intersection of faith, identity, and politics within the Latino evangelical community.
**Erica Perez:** Thank you for having me! It’s an important conversation that I hope encourages others in our community to explore their beliefs and engage in the political process.
