Bernie Hispanics
(Photo : REUTERS)

Recent polls in the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, and Latino Decisions show that Bernie Sanders tops as the favorite presidential Democrat candidate among the Latino community. Sanders is also strongly-favored among millenial Latinos in California. 

In a report from BBC News, one of the most high-profile representatives in the House, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, campaigned for presidential candidate Bernie Sanders in Nevada and California during the weekend. 

In an interview with the campaign staff and volunteers of Bernie Sanders, they said that what made him popular in the Latino community is his consistency in campaigning for jobs, health care, progressive immigration plans, outreach in Latino neighborhoods, and the hiring of young Latinos across the country as part of his campaign team.

For some, these are the reasons why Sanders is gaining the attention fo the Latino community for the upcoming 2020 election.

Thirty-three-year old volunteer of Sanders in Nevada, Shawn Navarro, said that he usually refers to Sanders as "Tio Bernie," He added "He reminds us a lot in the Latino community of your grandpa or your tío and he's kind of stern, a little grumpy at times. But, at the same time, you know he's looking out for you."

Navarro also claimed that Sanders resonates well not only with the voters, but with the entire Latino community as well. In addition to that, Navarro stressed that the 78-year-old 2020 eletions candidate is the exact man that Latinos are looking for because he delivers on his promises to the Latino community. 

It can be remembered that during the early campaigns and polls conducted, Joe Biden was seen as the frontrunner among the Democratic presidential candidates among Latinos. A group called "Voters of Color" even supported him.

However, it turned out later that most of his supporters are African-Americans which is the second-largest minority group in the country. Latinos, who are the largest minority group in the country, was found to be more supportive of Sanders than Biden.

Co-founder of the polling firm Latino Decisions, Matt Barreto, said that Sanders is strong with Latinos aged 30 years old and below. Barreto added that he does well with the Latinos who age between 30 to 50. He also said: "Latinos are the youngest population in the United States. That's where a bulk of the Latino electorate is, and so focusing on those younger voters is a smart idea."

The strategy of getting large votes among young Latinos could show positive and negative impacts on Sanders. It is risky for Sanders because the assumption that young Latinos can also influence their family members is still not in flesh, it is still an assumption. Meanwhile, this strategy could also put a dent to Joe Biden.

Latinos, aside from being the largest minority group, will also play a primary role based on the way that the campaign calendar is drawn this year. California and Texas, which populations are composed of 40 percent Latinos, will cast their votes on the first Tuesday of March. 

Activists and those who did not endorse Sanders acknowledge the strengths of Sanders. They have also personally witnessed how Sanders works predominantly in the Latino community. Cecia Alvarado, director of Mi Familia Vota in Nevada, said "We are seeing them meeting Latinos where they are ... knocking on their doors, you know, going to places where they're shopping," Moreover, the group is not endorsing any presidential candidate, however, they are open for a meeting with the presidential candidates. At the moment, the group said that most active for discussions and meetings is Sanders.