By Jesus Garcia
22 Jul 2024, 11:00 AM EDT
Voto Latino is announcing its support for Vice President Kamala Harris as the Republican Party’s presidential candidate and will allocate $44 million dollars “for the largest voter registration and participation campaign” in the United States.
“Voto Latino is pleased to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States,” said the organization’s co-founder and president, Maria Teresa Kumar.
This group has led highly influential electoral campaigns, with a focus – although not limited – on young voters, which helped stop the so-called “red wave” in the 2022 election.
“While right-wing extremists seek to demonize immigrants, destroy our democracy, and undermine our basic rights, Vice President Kamala Harris has led the way in defending our multicultural democracy,” Kumar said. “Her longstanding support for American workers, voting rights, defending DACA, and women’s rights have made a significant positive impact for our country and the Latino community, and it has never been more important.”
On Sunday, President Joe Biden announced his resignation as the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate and expressed his support for Vice President Harris.
So far, no Democrat has expressed opposition to President Biden’s decision to cancel his reelection or criticized his support for Vice President Harris, even Gavin Newsom, the governor of California – who sounded like a possible presidential contender – expressed his support for Harris.
“Kamala Harris understands the immigrant experience like few other leaders in our country can. The vice president embodies the American Dream, and that is why so many of us can relate and connect with her immigrant parents’ hard work, sacrifice, and entrepreneurial spirit,” Kumar said.
The electoral activist added that Vice President Harris has supported Voto Latino since its founding 20 years ago.
“She has been a champion, advisor, and advocate for equal rights for the most marginalized, proving that she will be the president who will govern for all Americans,” he said. “We had the great privilege of accompanying the Vice President on her college tour to speak with young Americans about the most pressing issues facing her generation. I have witnessed firsthand how she energizes young voters – the very voters who will determine the fate of our country in November.”
Kumar said U.S. democracy “is on the ballot this year” and called Harris “the best candidate” for the country.
“As part of its mission to help the Latino community fully realize its political power, Voto Latino is committing an unprecedented $44 million to the largest voter registration and turnout drive in U.S. history focused on Latino voters.”
Since its founding, Voto Latino has registered more than 1.4 million voters and has filed several lawsuits to defend voting rights in Texas, Arizona, and North Carolina ahead of the 2024 elections.