In a historic move, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), one of the nation's oldest Latino civil rights organizations, announced its first-ever formal endorsement of a presidential ticket. LULAC expressed its support for Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, citing concerns over the potential impact of another Trump presidency.

LULAC, also known as the League of United Latin American Citizens, has traditionally refrained from endorsing political candidates. However, the organization's leaders spoke of their members' growing apprehension regarding the negative repercussions Latinos might face if former President Donald J. Trump were to be reelected.

The endorsement took place through the LULAC Adelante PAC, the group's political action committee, following internal discussions and a unanimous vote by its leadership. Domingo Garcia, the chairman of the PAC and a past LULAC president, emphasized that the decision to support Harris and Walz was based on their ability to address the pressing issues that Latino communities encounter.

Garcia stated, "We can trust them to do what is right for our community and the country." The Latino electorate, which represents a diverse mix of races and ethnicities, comprised approximately 10 percent of American voters in the 2020 election, with a tendency to lean towards the Democratic Party.

However, the dynamics have been shifting since 2020 when Trump's standing among Latinos improved compared to his 2016 campaign. As the 2024 presidential election looms, a significant number of Latino voters had been contemplating third-party options.

Nevertheless, key Latino rights leaders and elected officials quickly rallied behind Vice President Kamala Harris following her elevation to the Democratic ticket. They expressed concerns about President Trump's plans to cut low-income assistance programs and enforce harder immigration policies, which would adversely affect Latino communities across the country.

The endorsement by LULAC, along with other similar groups, has injected fresh enthusiasm into outreach efforts. Although early polling data is limited, some evidence suggests Latino voters are more enthusiastic about Harris than they were about President Biden. LULAC's endorsement grants its local chapters, known as councils, the ability to register voters and engage in grassroots campaigning, particularly in battleground states such as Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

Founded by Mexican American World War I veterans in South Texas, LULAC has historically taken more conservative stances compared to other Latino rights organizations. Its endorsement carries significant weight, given its expansive reach, with 535 councils nationwide and over 140,000 members. Notably, 86 percent of its members are registered to vote, and more than 75 percent participated in the 2020 election.

Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Harris's campaign manager, expressed her gratitude for the endorsement, calling it an honor. She stressed the importance of Latino unity and organization in an election that holds enormous significance for their lives.

In response, the Trump campaign dismissed the significance of the endorsement, arguing that such organizations were out of touch with the views of Latino voters. Jaime Florez, the campaign's Latino media director, suggested that their lack of interest in Latino concerns had resulted in many Latinos abandoning the Democratic Party.

LULAC's endorsement of a presidential candidate is unprecedented. While Felix Tijerina, then-president of LULAC, personally supported the Eisenhower-Nixon ticket in 1956, this is the first time the organization has formally endorsed a presidential ticket. Over the years, LULAC members have shown support to local candidates, and some were involved in clubs promoting John F. Kennedy in 1960.

Looking back, the organization's values have evolved since the 1960s when wage competition and divisions between Mexican and Mexican American laborers initially led LULAC to support Eisenhower's mass deportations. However, the devastating impact of these deportations on Mexican American neighborhoods and border regions led to a reversal of the organization's stance.

Before announcing its endorsement, LULAC released an analysis of Trump's proposals, highlighting the potential harm they could inflict on Latinos. These proposals included education budget cuts, reductions in social safety net programs, restrictive border policies, overturning birthright citizenship, and rolling back protections for undocumented youth.

Juan Proaño, LULAC's chief executive, stressed the importance of preventing mass deportations and family separations. The organization's endorsement signals its commitment to supporting candidates who prioritize the well-being of Latinos and address their concerns.

As the 2024 presidential race takes shape, LULAC's endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz speaks to the organization's determination to secure a brighter future for Latino communities and advocate for their rights on a national scale.