Rising living costs, the Iran war and immigration enforcement policies are fuelling disappointment among some Latino voters who supported Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election.
YUMA, ARIZONA, UNITED STATES — WEB DESK: Several Latino voters in Arizona who supported US President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election are expressing growing disappointment with his administration ahead of the November 3, 2026, midterm elections.
Rising living costs, higher fuel prices, the US conflict with Iran and immigration enforcement policies have contributed to frustration among some former Trump supporters, according to an AFP report published on Saturday.
In Yuma County, Arizona, 22-year-old Fernando Nunez, who previously campaigned door-to-door for Trump, says he will no longer support candidates backed by the Republican president.
“Trump betrayed us. He did a whole 180,” Nunez told AFP, describing his disappointment with the administration’s policies.
Rising prices fuel voter frustration
Nunez said he had initially supported Trump because of promises to reduce prices, end international conflicts and release files related to the investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
However, he said rising expenses and the administration’s handling of the Epstein investigation had changed his view.
He also criticised the US involvement in the war with Iran, arguing that the conflict had contributed to higher fuel prices and wider inflation.
“Gas, insurance, food: everything went up and is more expensive than ever,” Nunez said.
He earns approximately $1,600 a month working as a sales representative and said he plans to vote for independent candidates rather than Republicans or Democrats.
Arizona community reflects changing political attitudes
Yuma County offers an example of the changing political preferences among some Latino voters who shifted towards Republicans during the 2024 presidential election.
Trump won the county by a 20-percentage-point margin in 2024, according to the AFP report.
In neighbouring Somerton, an agricultural town with a predominantly Latino population, approximately 40 per cent of residents voted for Trump in the same election.
Mayor Gerardo Anaya said many residents had supported Trump because of dissatisfaction with inflation under former president Joe Biden and concerns about immigration at the US-Mexico border.
However, he believes some voters are now experiencing disappointment after expecting economic improvements from the new administration.
Immigration enforcement adds to concerns
Immigration enforcement has emerged as another source of frustration among some Latino residents.
Although the number of migrants arriving at the US-Mexico border has dropped sharply, some residents have criticised large-scale immigration raids across the country.
One Mexican-American gardener interviewed by AFP said he had expected Trump’s administration to focus on undocumented immigrants involved in criminal activities.
He expressed concern that enforcement operations had also resulted in the deportation of people without criminal records.
The resident described the administration’s approach as unacceptable and said he no longer wanted to support Trump.
However, his dissatisfaction does not necessarily mean he intends to vote for Democrats. He said he was considering not voting in the midterm elections.
Latino voters remain divided over political choices
Despite growing dissatisfaction among some former Trump supporters, Arizona’s Latino community does not appear politically united.
Jaime Sanchez, a 52-year-old hair salon owner, said he had initially supported Trump because of his positions on abortion and what Sanchez described as traditional family values.
However, he expressed concern about immigration policies that could separate parents from their American-born children.
Meanwhile, evangelical pastor Jose Manuel Castro said he had observed considerable dissatisfaction among members of his congregation and expected some to cast protest votes.
Castro also argued that religious and social issues continued to influence political preferences among conservative Latino voters.
Midterm elections put Latino voters in focus
The growing dissatisfaction among some Latino voters comes ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, when Americans will vote for congressional representatives and other offices.
The AFP report said the changing attitudes could create opportunities for Democrats, who are seeking to regain congressional seats in competitive districts.
However, frustration with Trump does not automatically translate into support for Democratic candidates. Some voters are considering independent candidates, while others may abstain.
The Associated Press has also reported broader dissatisfaction among Latino voters, with economic concerns and immigration policies emerging as important issues ahead of the elections.
