Voto Latino, a leading force in Latino political advocacy, has thrown its full support behind Vice President Kamala Harris in her run for the White House, pledging its entire 2024 campaign budget of $44 million to back her candidacy. The endorsement marks a significant boost for Harris as she seeks to solidify her standing with Latino voters, a key demographic that could determine the outcome of the upcoming presidential election.

María Teresa Kumar, president of Voto Latino, emphasized the urgency of their endorsement in light of the current political climate. "As far-right extremists seek to demonize immigrants, shatter our democracy, and curtail our rights at every turn, Vice President Kamala Harris has led the defense of our multicultural democracy," Kumar stated. "Her long-standing support for working Americans, voting rights, DACA, and women’s rights has done so much good for our country and the Latino community — and it has never been more important."

The 2024 campaign for Voto Latino will see the group hitting the road, a shift from its mostly digital efforts during the 2020 election, which were constrained by the coronavirus pandemic. This year, their focus will be on young Hispanic voters, with targeted anti-disinformation, registration, and mobilization efforts in key battleground states like Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.

The endorsement comes on the heels of President Biden’s announcement that he would not seek reelection, prompting Voto Latino and other influential Latino political groups to swiftly rally behind Harris. "In 2020, Voto Latino endorsed Joe Biden in the face of an unprecedented threat to our community and our country. His exceptional term has earned our admiration and respect," Kumar remarked. "Now, more than ever, we must unite our efforts to make sure Trump is not elected in November. The stakes have never been higher."

Voto Latino’s endorsement of Harris is not only a strategic move but also a reflection of a longstanding relationship. "The Vice President has been a longtime friend of Voto Latino since our inception 20 years ago," Kumar noted. "She has been a supporter, a counselor, and a proponent of equal rights for the most marginalized among us."

Alongside Voto Latino, other major Latino organizations, including UnidosUS Action Fund, Latino Victory Fund, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus’s Bold PAC, have also pledged their support for Harris. With this united front, Harris is poised to make significant inroads with Latino voters as she gears up for the November election.