WASHINGTON -- A large, well-funded Republican network established following the 2012 electoral defeat to expand GOP support among Hispanics now lies in ruins.
The Libre Initiative, which has received more than $10 million from the conservative billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch, aimed to expand the party's reach in presidential battleground states in hopes of winning the White House in 2016.
But now, the group and its billionaire backers are focused on maintaining Republican control of the Senate, having effectively retreated from the presidential race and their party's presumptive nominee, Donald Trump.
Trump has “ruined a lot of the work that the Libre Initiative, and Hispanic pro-liberty activists have been doing,” said a source within the Koch network who agreed to speak on background about the group's plans.
"It's going to be up to the Trump campaign to now make their case to the Latino community,” Dan Garza, executive director of Libre Initiative, told The Huffington Post. “We’re going to be involved in the Senate races, some of the important 50-50 congressional races, [and] mobilizing thousands of Latinos in those campaigns.”
Garza and the Libre Initiative still have a big job ahead of them. Latinos are the fastest growing voter group in the country, and the number of eligible Hispanic voters has grown 17 percent since 2012, according to the Pew Research Center.
Interviews with a dozen influential Hispanic Republicans suggest that the problems between Trump and Hispanic Republicans extend well beyond the Koch network. Within a demographic group critical to swinging the electoral map, that support is virtually nonexistent for Trump.
In June, Trump drew outrage after labeling undocumented immigrants from Mexico rapists who bring crime and drugs to America. Rather than apologizing, Trump doubled down by claiming the Mexican government has been sending dangerous felons across it northern border.
"I am unaware of any Republican Hispanic leaders who are excited to have Trump as the nominee," Mario H. Lopez, president of the Hispanic Leadership Fund, told HuffPost. "Many are refusing outright to support him in any capacity."
"Most of the Republican Hispanic activists that I know [are] having a hard time with what they're seeing now with the GOP," said Ed Lopez, a former vice chairman of the Republican Liberty Caucus. Lopez said he plans to vote for Gary Johnson, the former governor of New Mexico who is campaigning for president on the Libertarian Party ticket.
"I'm very depressed, frankly," said Linda Chavez, chairman of the Center for Equal Opportunity and a former Reagan administration cabinet member. "I did not become a Republican to support someone like Donald Trump." Getting Hispanic voters out to the polls, she said, "is going to be very difficult with the top of the ticket being Donald Trump."
But that doesn't mean Trump won't try for the Hispanic vote. The billionaire recently filmed a video that was played at the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference earlier this month.
"National, Hispanic, Christian: Three great words," Trump said. "We're going to take care of you. We're going to work with you. You're going to be very happy. You're going to like President Trump."
But even with Trump's promises, in critical swing states like Florida, Hispanic Republican office holders are clearly torn over what to do about Trump, and focused on local politics.
"I won't endorse Hillary Clinton," said Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez Cantera (R), when asked if he'd endorse Donald Trump. "But Republicans can learn from what we're doing in Florida, and I still have plenty of support within the Hispanic community."
Editor's note: Donald Trump regularly incites political violence and is a serial liar, rampant xenophobe, racist, misogynist and birther who has repeatedly pledged to ban all Muslims -- 1.6 billion members of an entire religion -- from entering the U.S.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.