President Biden is set to embark on a critical tour of Nevada and Arizona this week, aiming to bolster support for his economic agenda while addressing key issues such as immigration and abortion rights. The tour comes at a pivotal moment as the administration seeks to shore up its standing among Latino voters in these battleground states.
Beginning his trip on Tuesday in Reno, Nevada, President Biden plans to highlight his economic initiatives and condemn former President Donald J. Trump’s stance on abortion rights. He will then proceed to Las Vegas to emphasize efforts aimed at reducing housing costs before heading to Phoenix, Arizona, where he will make a significant manufacturing announcement.
The tour serves as a strategic effort to address what polls have identified as three of President Biden’s primary challenges: the economy, immigration, and waning support among Latino voters. As the general election campaign against Mr. Trump looms, President Biden has adopted a more assertive approach in addressing these issues.
Of particular concern is the Latino electorate, which has shown signs of shifting towards Mr. Trump. To counter this trend, President Biden’s campaign is launching a series of initiatives aimed at mobilizing Latino voters, including radio interviews with the president, grassroots organizing programs, and critiques of Republican policies on abortion and immigration.
While President Biden won these states in 2020, Mr. Trump has garnered support from segments of the Latino electorate, including evangelicals and those concerned about border security. The White House is particularly attentive to the educational divide among Latino voters, with Mr. Trump making inroads among those without college degrees.
Surveys indicate that Mr. Trump’s support among Latino voters has surpassed 40 percent, a level not seen by Republicans in decades. President Biden’s campaign is therefore prepared to address immigration, an issue of significance in both Nevada and Arizona, where the border remains a focal point.
In a memo penned by Chávez RodrÃguez, President Biden’s immigration policies are highlighted as a means to contrast with Republicans on issues important to Western voters. The memo emphasizes President Biden’s efforts to negotiate border security reforms, which were thwarted by Mr. Trump’s political maneuvering.
However, navigating the complexities of immigration politics requires a delicate balance. President Biden must address both border security concerns and his push for comprehensive immigration reform, including a pathway to citizenship. John Tuman, a political science professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, notes that Latino voters in Nevada are interested in broader immigration reform alongside border security measures.
Tuman suggests that President Biden should focus on initiatives benefiting young undocumented immigrants, such as the Dreamers program, while acknowledging the need for compromise on border security. Moreover, Latino voters in Nevada are also keen to see progress on economic issues, including job creation and affordable housing.
During his speech on housing in Las Vegas, President Biden will reiterate his call for Congress to pass a mortgage relief credit aimed at first-time homeowners. However, the president’s influence on mortgage rates, heavily influenced by the Federal Reserve, is limited. Despite a slight decline this year, mortgage rates have remained relatively high, posing challenges for prospective homeowners.
President Biden’s tour of Nevada and Arizona underscores the administration’s commitment to addressing key concerns among Latino voters, while promoting his economic agenda and confronting Republican opposition on immigration and abortion rights. As the 2024 election approaches, these battleground states will continue to play a crucial role in shaping the political landscape.
