Poll: Latino Voters Have 'Widely Negative' Views Of GOP

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Source: Huffington Post

WASHINGTON -- A recent poll out of California found an uphill battle for Republicans hoping to make inroads with Latinos, the largest and fastest growing minority in the United States.

The survey, conducted by a GOP pollster and consultant, found that Latino voters hold "widely negative" views about the Republican party. Envisioned as a way to "begin the process of understanding both the challenges as well as the opportunities for future Republican candidates in gaining a greater share of the Latino vote," the poll found Hispanic voters tend to view GOP candidates as overly conservative and distrust Republican views on immigration. While California is unlikely to play a defining role in the 2012 elections, the poll could have implications for states like Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico, where Hispanics have increasing political influence.

Commissioned by Republican strategist Marty Wilson, who managed Carly Fiorina's failed campaign for the California Senate, the survey of 400 California Latino voters found a wide Latino-GOP disconnect in the Golden State. Though they tried to frame it in the best terms possible, Wilson and GOP pollster Bob Moore conceded that there was much "work to be done to convince California Latinos that the Republican Party and its candidates can effectively represent them."

Only 26 percent of Latinos polled viewed Republicans favorably, while 62 percent had a favorable view of Democrats. And asked whether Republicans should “stick to core values and nominate true Conservatives,” only 22 percent of Latino voters agreed. Approximately one-third of Latino voters say they will never vote for a Republican.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/18/poll-latino-voters-widely-negative-about-gop_n_837717.html