A recent NBC News/Telemundo poll indicates a significant shift in Latino voter support, with many turning away from President Donald Trump ahead of the 2026 elections. The poll, conducted from September 21 to 28, reveals that Trump's approval rating among Latino voters is at 27%. Two-thirds of respondents believe his administration's deportation policies have gone too far, and three-quarters disapprove of his handling of the economy and cost of living.
The poll shows that Democrats have a 24-point lead among Latino voters regarding control of Congress, with 59% preferring Democratic control compared to 35% for Republicans. This marks a substantial increase from the previous election cycle, where Democrats held a smaller lead. Additionally, Latino voters now favor Democrats over Republicans by 21 points on economic issues, a reversal from a 4-point edge Trump held over then-Vice President Kamala Harris two years ago.
The Republican Party's strategy, which relied on Trump's gains among Latino voters in 2024, may face challenges as many of these districts are becoming competitive. A significant portion of Latino voters who supported Trump in 2024 now express a preference for Democratic candidates or are undecided about their congressional preferences.
Democratic pollster Aileen Cardona-Arroyo noted the poll results indicate a reversal of Republican gains with Latino voters, suggesting potential difficulties for Republican candidates in the upcoming midterms. Republican pollster Micah Roberts described Latino voters as a highly variable group, stating that the changes observed are significant and likely influenced by Trump's presence in politics.