Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris made a strategic stop in Las Vegas this week. There, she held a town hall with Univision to strengthen her rapport with Latino voters.
As one of the most significant swing states in the 2024 election, Nevada—especially its sizable Latino population—has become a key battleground in Harris’ bid to secure the presidency.
Harris’ visit comes in response to rising concerns within the Democratic Party about the inroads Republican nominee Donald Trump has made with Latino voters, particularly regarding the economy and immigration.
Addressing Economic Concerns
During the town hall, Harris tackled one of the most pressing issues for voters: the economy. With rising costs for housing, groceries, and everyday goods, many voters voiced their frustrations about the current state of affairs.
As Nevada is home to a large number of service and hospitality workers, economic hardship has hit especially hard, making the state a focal point for candidates.
Harris acknowledged these economic challenges directly, admitting that while inflation has subsided, prices remain high. “I know prices are too high still, and we have to deal with it,” she said, emphasizing her commitment to implementing measures that would limit price gouging at grocery stores and support potential home buyers.
Harris also reiterated a promise she made during a previous visit to Nevada: to cut taxes on tips, an important issue for workers in the state’s service sector, who rely heavily on gratuities for their income.
Her economic proposals were aimed at addressing voter discontent over high living costs, a sentiment Trump has capitalized on. He has framed Harris as an extension of President Joe Biden’s economic policies, which he argues have failed working-class Americans, including many Latinos.
Immigration Takes Center Stage
Immigration, another key issue for Nevada voters, was central to the town hall discussion. Harris has been under intense scrutiny over her role as the so-called “border czar,” a label Republicans have used to criticize her handling of the border crisis.
Trump has positioned immigration as a major pillar of his campaign, pledging to resume construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall and reinstate controversial policies like the Muslim travel ban and mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.
In contrast, Harris took a more measured tone on immigration, emphasizing her legal background and experience as a prosecutor. She argued that her approach to securing the border would be informed by the law and facts, contrasting it with what she described as Trump’s divisive rhetoric. “I would put my record up against anyone in terms of the work I’ve always done and will always do to ensure we have a secure border,” Harris said.
However, when pressed for specifics on how her immigration policies would differ from the Biden administration’s, Harris aligned herself with the bipartisan immigration bill that Biden had tried to push through Congress.
She blamed Trump and Republicans for blocking the legislation, which she said would have improved border management and addressed the humanitarian crisis at the border.
“There are real people who are suffering because of an inability to put solutions in front of politics,” she added, reflecting her stance that the immigration issue needs bipartisan collaboration rather than partisan posturing.
Navigating a Swing State Battleground
Harris’ visit to Nevada underscores the importance of Latino voters, who represent a significant voting bloc in the state and across key battlegrounds like Arizona. A September Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll found Harris leading Trump in Nevada by 7 percentage points, a notable margin given the state’s swing status.
However, Trump has gained ground in recent months, thanks to his focus on economic dissatisfaction and his promises to take more drastic measures on immigration.
Despite her efforts to connect with Latino voters on core issues like immigration and the economy, Harris faced moments of discomfort during the town hall. One voter expressed frustration with her perceived fast-track capture of the Democratic nomination following Biden’s withdrawal from the race earlier this year, pointing to concerns over a lack of alternatives within the party.
In the closing moments of the event, Harris was asked a pointed question: what three positive things she could say about Donald Trump. In a rare moment of candor, Harris admitted she found the question challenging. “I think Donald Trump loves his family, and I think that’s very important,” she offered before conceding she had little else to add due to her limited personal interactions with the former president.
Looking Ahead
As the 2024 presidential race heats up, Harris’ western swing, including her stop in Las Vegas, reflects the high stakes of securing Latino support. With both candidates vowing to address economic and immigration challenges, Latino voters in Nevada and other swing states are likely to play a decisive role in determining the outcome of the election.
While addressing core concerns, Harris’ town hall performance also highlighted the complex dynamics of this election cycle—an economy in recovery, a polarized immigration debate, and a competition that remains deeply divided. Both Harris and Trump will need to continue making their case to a critical voter base in the coming months.