A Week Away: Will La Raza Turn Tarrant County Blue?

By Alberto Govea

I think so, and I do not believe it is just hyperbole.

For years and years there has been talk about the "Sleeping Giant" known as La Raza. While there have been times when this huge voting bloc made a difference, and it certainly has, there were also occasions when that difference may not have benefited the community as much as hoped.

This year, however, feels different.

I can sincerely say that I have never seen our community as energized as it is now. I have witnessed this energy and awakening throughout this election cycle while conducting voter registration efforts and again this past Saturday when LULAC Council 4568 and Hola

Texas hosted Early Voting events in both Southside and Northside Fort Worth.

During voter registration drives, people approached us saying they had never voted before or had not voted in a very long time. This year was different, they said, "Enough is enough."

The economy and the treatment of our community through ICE enforcement actions were the two reasons mentioned most often. Some even apologized for not becoming involved before things reached this point.

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At Saturday's Early Voting event, which included giving away Benito's Tacos and Gustos Burgers, we saw more of the same enthusiasm. There were more young people at the voting sites than I have ever seen before, along with senior citizens brought by their adult children to cast their ballots.

One voter especially stood out.

An 86-year-old Latina told us she had taken an Uber to the polling place and planned to Uber home afterward. She also shared that she had a hair appointment before heading home. Then she smiled and added, "I still work, you know."

That brief encounter lifted the spirits of our volunteers because it gave us hope that change is coming, not only for this election but well beyond it.

To be clear, this is not wishful thinking. The Latino voter population in Texas has more than doubled, growing from 3 million in 2000 to 6.3 million in 2024. In turn, the Latino share of the Texas electorate increased from 22.3% to 31.7%, according to the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute's Latino Data Hub.

The report also notes that Texas Latinos are the largest ethnic group among eligible voters ages 18 to 24, accounting for more than 45% of young voters in the state. In addition, the median age of Latinos is 39. Latinos are 11 years younger than non-Hispanic White voters. You do the math.

In Tarrant County, Latinos make up 31.9% of the population, and from what I have seen during this election cycle, they want change and they want it now. When you combine that with record Democratic primary turnout across the state, it points to the possibility of a Blue Wave.

I am reminded of what Chicano civil rights champion José Ángel Gutiérrez often said:

"We will go from being the governed to being the governors."

Will it finally happen?

I believe the answer is yes, if the momentum I am seeing continues through Election Day.