DNC is spending thousands to engage Puerto Rican voters in Pennsylvania

The Democratic National Committee announced a six-figure investment focused on reaching Puerto Ricans in Pennsylvania on the same day that Puerto Rican Day flags flew up and down along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia.

The DNC said Sunday it would spend $100,000 to reach out to Puerto Rican and other Latino voters in Pennsylvania in the final period before the Nov. 5 election. The announcement came the same day as the Puerto Rican Day Parade in Philadelphia.

Democrats view Puerto Rican voters as a critical and growing voting bloc in the state. The funds will go toward efforts to lend a hand Democrats get out the vote and will be focused on Puerto Ricans, but some of the money will go to Latinos in general.

Also on Sunday, U.S. Republican Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.), the first Puerto Rican to serve in Congress and former chair of the Congressional Latino Caucus, was scheduled to campaign for Vice President Kamala Harris at El Festival de Borinquen in Philadelphia, as well as Emmy Award-winning actress Liza Colón-Zayas and Maya Harris, the vice president’s sister.

Republicans are also eyeing Latino voters in the state, and former President Donald Trump saw increased support from majority-Latino cities.

DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison said in a statement that the DNC’s efforts will allow Democrats to reach voters “through culturally competent and relevant messaging focusing on the priorities and interests of the Puerto Rican community in Pennsylvania.”

“Our efforts to reach Latinos where they are, in English and Spanish, and on the issues that matter to them, are an integral part of our work to build the most diverse Democratic coalition possible to deliver wins up and down on this November ballot,” Harrison added.

The DNC is Also investing in get-out-the-vote efforts for Puerto Ricans in Florida and New York.

On Sunday, The Inquirer spoke to parade-goers on Philadelphia’s Parkway about the well-timed DNC announcement, and here’s what they said:

Education and affordable health care

Maryelis Santiago, a 35-year-old Puerto Rican living in Philadelphia, said outreach to Puerto Rican voters is “needed.” He believes Puerto Ricans in Pennsylvania will vote, but they are “unsure” who to vote for.

“We know that overall, Pennsylvania has a large Latino and Puerto Rican population,” she said. “Many of them want to vote, but they are not sure which way to go because they feel like they are not wanted… like they are not being listened to, and what worries them is that the topic is not being discussed. “

Santiago, who works at Esperanza Cyber ​​Charter School in Philadelphia, said that when reaching out to Puerto Rican voters, politicians should talk about affordable health care and education.

“What about children across Pennsylvania who had to move here after Hurricane Maria, who were displaced, or who come from Spanish-speaking homes but don’t speak the language and are navigating schools where there is no Latino language? staff?” she said.

Although a longtime Democrat, Santiago stated that she was initially unsure who to vote for, but decided to vote for Harris, in part because she wants someone “who can lead by example.”

Affordable apartments

Jorge Gomez, 37, of West Belmont, said more money would be worth spending to better explain candidate information to Puerto Rican voters who don’t speak English well.

“Not much information is disseminated because most of our community, the elderly, speak Spanish,” said Gomez, who is of Puerto Rican descent.

Gomez said he thought the message should focus on affordable housing, social programs and fighting inflation. His wife, Tiana Rodriguez, 30, said she thinks politicians should talk about “keeping communities together” as neighborhoods change and longtime community members lose value. Rodriguez, who is also Puerto Rican, works as the director of a transitional housing center for women with a history of homelessness, addiction and mental illness.

But voters can be gloomy when they make promises — like Harris proposed a $25,000 down payment tax credit for first-time homeowners — so campaigns shouldn’t lose sight of providing details on their promises, Gomez said.

“She may promise us this, but if she is elected, will it really happen?” he said.

That being said, he believes Harris and her vice presidential candidate, Tim Walz, can win over voters because of their ability to “calm the chaos” of today’s politics. Gomez and Rodriguez said they lean Democratic.

“We need to do more homework.”

Sharlyn Schmitt, a 39-year-old trauma trainer who lives in Lebanon County who declined to say who she plans to vote for, said Puerto Rican voters will choose whoever is more favorable to Puerto Ricans – but it’s unclear at this point who’s that. He also believes that the most significant issues that will attract voters are jobs, taxes and health care.

She said she sometimes avoids talking about politics with her family “to keep the peace.”

Schmitt, who is Puerto Rican, said he receives “a lot of leaflets” every day from the campaign – more from Democrats – as well as emails and YouTube ads. She said that while she sees children talking about campaign mailers, she doesn’t think they are as effective with adults.

“I think we as adults should do more homework,” she said.