Latinos and the Presidential Race as Playing Out in North Carolina

The demographics of this year's presidential race in the US have focused especially on race and ethnicity. Since Latinos are swelling the population ranks in the "New South," the question naturally turns to how they might influence elections in that part of the nation. A reporter for Channel 14 in Charlotte asked my son those questions and the video of the segment on last night's news can be seen here.

"The Hispanic vote is going to be a big part of the key to sending President Obama back to the White House," said Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

A Latino name on the Republican ticket might help win over some of those voters. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez and Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval are all being mentioned as possible VP candidates.

"Symbolically, it would be important, because it would show the Republican party is at least interested in trying to include Latinos," said UNC Charlotte Political Science Professor Greg Weeks.

In swing states, like North Carolina and Virginia, the Hispanic population has doubled in the past decade. Weeks, however, said influence remains limited.
"In North Carolina, you have a growing Latino population, but the percentage of Latinos that are registered to vote is very low," said Weeks.

Still, the Latino vote is emerging as important enough that it could swing the state.