In exclusive interviews with The Arizona Sun Times, conservative activists Gary Garcia Snyder and Monica Yelin discussed the inroads Arizona they and their organizations have had in engaging Hispanic voters leading into the 2024 election. They both stressed the necessity of understanding the community’s intricacies and advocated for involvement beyond political realms. Snyder and Yelin emphasized a strategic shift towards sustained, organic outreach efforts over sporadic election-focused approaches. These longtime activists have roots in the Latino community, particularly since the 2022 midterm elections, and revealed a noteworthy trend: a growing inclination towards the GOP among Hispanic voters.
In a June North Star Opinion Research poll of 600 likely voters in Arizona, former President Donald Trump held a 10-point lead in a three-way race with RFK, Jr. and Joe Biden. Trump garnered 42 percent of the vote, compared to 32 percent for President Joe Biden and 13 percent for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This poll was conducted after the New York verdict against Trump, highlighting his resilience among voters.
The survey revealed that Trump’s lead is primarily supported by Hispanic voters and those aged 18-34. Among the respondents, 24 percent were Hispanic and 60 percent were from white households. This indicates a significant shift in traditional voting patterns, especially among demographics that have historically leaned Democratic.
Snyder, (pictured above, left), spoke with The Sun Times about his active engagement with Hispanic communities in Arizona. Raised in a military and Republican household, he said he champions family, faith, and community values — principles he believes resonate deeply within the Hispanic culture. Residing in Yuma, where Hispanics constitute 62.1 percent of the population, Snyder feels he plays a crucial role across both Yuma and Maricopa counties.
He highlighted a common misunderstanding among Hispanic voters who often conflate the Democratic Party with “democracy.” He said that left-leaning NGOs, funded by Democrat-favoring donors, provide new immigrants services like housing and employment. Snyder is convinced that Republicans can make significant inroads by effectively demonstrating how conservative values support hard work and align with the interests of the Hispanic community.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Snyder said he has attended 12 naturalization ceremonies, seizing these occasions to connect with new citizens and encourage them to register to vote. He said he also tackled the challenge of political engagement within the Hispanic community, noting the cultural taboo against discussing politics. This avoidance, he stressed, doesn’t signify a lack of patriotism but rather a cultural preference to avoid political discussions that could disrupt family harmony. To counter this, Snyder said he actively ventures into traditionally Democratic areas to promote Republican values.
Snyder – who is challenging Michael Carbone to represent the newly-redistricted LD25 – said he feels uniquely positioned to represent the 28.4 percent Hispanic population in Yuma and Buckeye. He cited his extensive experience with Maricopa County’s diverse communities, having served in roles such as elected precinct committeeman, state committeeman, delegate at state and national levels, and elected member at large in the AZGOP.
Snyder recently took a job with Turning Point Action as the Yuma Ballot Chase Manager. He said his responsibilities include building inter-community relationships and encouraging community members to submit their ballots. Additionally, Snyder said will develop a community network system to identify and monitor low propensity voting habits in precincts across his designated territory.
He said this new role will benefit the community by fostering increased voter engagement and participation, particularly among demographics that traditionally have lower turnout rates and especially the Hispanic community. By building robust community relationships and a supportive network, Snyder’s efforts will help ensure that more voices in the Yuma area are heard in elections. His work will also contribute to more accurate tracking of voter data, ultimately leading to more informed and effective civic participation.
Snyder said, “My ongoing presence and relationship-building in the community underscore my long-term commitment to service. Consistent involvement and genuine connections are key to winning over voters to the GOP.”
* * *
Yelin (pictured above, right), a seasoned political strategist, highlighted the importance of understanding and addressing the diverse needs of Hispanic voters to secure victories in the upcoming November elections. She told The Sun Times, with Hispanics poised to represent up to 23 percent of the voting population, their impact is undeniable. Yelin emphasized that outreach should be customized.
“Hispanics should be approached addressing what matters the most to them… Doing more outreach in the Spanish language and being very clear with solutions that resonate with Hispanics will generate trust!” she said.
Yelin noted that Democrats have effectively used emotional messaging and are perceived as more inclusive. She told The Sun Times, “Hispanics tend to think that Democrats care more for them, and many Hispanic politicians and elected officials are Democrats.”
Regarding whether the Republican Party is doing enough to court Hispanic voters, Yelin pointed to successful strategies in Florida and Texas, where she claimed tailored messaging and significant investment in Hispanic outreach have led to notable gains.
“In Texas, multiple southern counties flipped to Republican… The Florida GOP invested millions on Hispanic outreach in the 2022 election, resulting in flipping Miami Dade,” she said.
Yelin shared her personal alignment with Republican values, “I have always been a conservative, my values align with these values. I firmly believe in freedom and liberties, small government, low taxes, and being financially independent.”
She claimed that contrary to common perceptions, Republicans promote freedom, inclusivity, and respect for religious values, aiming to provide a compelling reason for Latinos to consider the Republican stance.
Yelin asserted that her influence in engaging the Latino community transcended her roles in specific political campaigns, such as those for State Representative Debbie Lesko (R-AZ-08) and Blake Masters.
She told The Sun Times that creation of the Hispanic Liberty Alliance allows her to reach the entire community, beyond traditional political boundaries. Yelin emphasized that the Hispanic Liberty Alliance “is not political” but rather focuses on core values such as pro-family, pro-business, and pro-freedom principles. She highlighted the Alliance’s dedication to crafting initiatives that deeply resonate with the Latino community, independent of party lines.
On its website, The Hispanic Liberty Alliance says its mission is uniting and mobilizing the Hispanic community around fundamental values intrinsic to their cultural and social fabric, such as family, entrepreneurship, and freedom. The group notes their pro-family advocacy focuses on supporting policies that bolster family structures and expand educational opportunities, recognizing the central role of the family in Hispanic culture. The organization also promotes pro-business initiatives, advocating for lower taxes and reduced regulatory burdens to support the growth and sustainability of small businesses within the Hispanic community.
The Alliance – whose website features English and Spanish versions – positions itself as a powerful platform, independent of political party, that empowers Hispanic Americans to express their concerns and influence policies that affect their lives. Their comprehensive and inclusive strategy is described on their website as a model for effective, consistent outreach to Hispanic communities.
“We aim to be the voice of empowerment for Hispanic Americans, helping to shape the policies that affect our lives and ensuring our voices are heard in the halls of power,” the website says.
– – –
Christy Kelly is a reporter at The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Christy on Twitter / X. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Monica Yelin” by Monica Yelin for Member at Large. Photo “Gary Snyder” by Gary Snyder. Background Photo “Arizona Capitol” by Wars. CC BY 3.0.
