Polling data from Equis Research, a firm that specializes in analyzing the Latino electorate, shows a major shift in how Latino voters are aligning politically. According to their findings, Democrats now lead Republicans by 35 percentage points on the generic congressional ballot, a dramatic increase from 2024 when Kamala Harris won the support of Latino voters by just 7 points. Stephanie Valencia, co-founder and president of Equis, explained that this shift shows that Latino voters are no longer a "sleeping giant" in politics, but a "swinging giant" who are increasingly active and influential. About a third of Latino voters identify as independent or apolitical, yet their growing influence is reshaping the political landscape. A significant factor behind this shift is economic concern. Latino voters, many of whom are part of the wage-earning workforce, are feeling the effects of inflation and stagnant wages more acutely, especially since they tend to have lower savings and home ownership rates. Trump's approval ratings among Latino voters have dropped sharply on economic issues, with net approval at -52 on the cost of living and -45 on the economy—both worse than his overall approval with the group. This has led to a growing perception that his policies are not addressing their economic struggles. Immigration policies have also played a major role in shaping Latino opinions. While Trump initially promised to focus on deporting criminals and securing the border, his broader deportation efforts have been widely unpopular. Equis data shows that in December 2024, 65 percent of Latino Trump voters believed he would only target criminals and recent arrivals. But now, 62 percent of Latinos believe he is targeting undocumented immigrants broadly. This shift in perception has hurt Trump’s standing with Latino voters. Valencia noted that the backlash extends beyond the border, including concerns about interior enforcement, such as raids, family separations, and the detention of citizens and legal residents. She said 68 percent of Latinos believe Republicans promised to deport criminals but instead targeted hardworking people. Campaigns are also struggling to effectively engage Latino voters. Valencia noted that over 70 percent of Latinos who see a Spanish-language ad believe the candidate or party cares more about them. However, many campaigns fail to tailor their messages to the cultural and linguistic diversity within the Latino community, often treating it as a single, monolithic group rather than recognizing the varied backgrounds and experiences of its members. In Evanston, Illinois, a progressive Democratic city, local issues such as housing affordability and reparations are shaping political discussions. The city recently passed a reparations program, which is currently being challenged by the federal government. Meanwhile, conversations about affordability are framed differently in a city with a wealthier, more progressive electorate. A recent incident involving ICE agents stopping a man on Howard Street, who was later confirmed to be a U.S. citizen, has sparked community outrage. Reporter Matthew Eadie is investigating the incident, including the lead-up and the communication between ICE agents and Evanston police.