Hillary Clinton set her sights on Latina millennials and their vote in a new op-ed written for PopSugar Latina’s Hispanic Heritage Month series.
In the piece, published Friday, the Democratic nominee expresses her admiration for young Latinas who are first-generation college students, entrepreneurs and breadwinners for their family.
“Many of you are the first in your family to go to college or own your own business,” Clinton writes. “You’re the daughters of trailblazers who broke barriers so you could pursue your dreams. You’re activists, entrepreneurs, and dreamers, and you know what it means to work hard and never let anything get in your way.”
But Clinton also stressed the kinds of obstacles that stand in the way of young Latinas’ success, including a pay gap that disproportionately affects Latinas and high tuition costs. The candidate was quick to follow the list of challenges Latinas face with a list of solutions she plans to implement if she were elected.
The Democratic nominee also alluded to her Republican rival’s negative rhetoric toward Latinos, assuring young Latinas that despite Trump’s remarks this country values them as Americans:
So much of his rhetoric is full of prejudice and paranoia. So I understand why so many young people tell me they wonder if our country even sees their value – as Latinos, as Latinas, as Americans. So let me be clear. Whether you’re Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Afro-Latino… whether your family just arrived or has been here since before the United States even existed… you make our nation stronger, smarter, and more creative. You belong. And millions of your fellow Americans respect, value and appreciate you. I am one of them.
In an in-depth Q&A with HuffPost Mexico in September, Clinton expressed she did not plan to take the Latino vote “for granted this election” and would increase her efforts to win over young Latinos who she saw as having an important role in both this and all future elections.
“That’s why my campaign has ramped up our efforts to engage, energize and mobilize millennial Latino voters,” she told HuffPost. “I want every young Latino to know that I’m committed to passing comprehensive immigration reform, creating a debt-free future for college graduates, tackling climate change and strengthening our investments in good-paying jobs.”
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified Donald Trump as Hillary Clinton’s “running mate.” He is her Republican rival.
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