Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) expressed concerns that the Democratic Party may face challenges in the 2028 presidential election regarding Latino voter support if Marco Rubio becomes the Republican nominee. Gallego made these remarks at the Latino Vote Summit in Washington, stating, "If Marco Rubio is the nominee to be president of the United States, we’re in trouble."
While Rubio has not officially announced his candidacy, he is considered a potential contender for the Republican nomination alongside Vice President JD Vance, as suggested by political analysts and Donald Trump. Both Gallego and Rubio are Latino and have emphasized the significance of the Latino vote for their respective parties.
Gallego noted that Rubio's candidacy could attract some voters due to his status as the first Latino candidate on a major ticket, despite concerns about his policies. He mentioned that Republicans have gained ground among Latino voters in recent elections, citing the 2024 presidential election where Trump performed better than expected with Latino voters. In Passaic County, New Jersey, which has a significant Hispanic population, Trump won 49.8% of the vote, compared to Biden's 57.7% in 2020.
Gallego urged the Democratic Party to prioritize Latino voter outreach and adjust their immigration messaging to improve their chances in the upcoming election.