Milwaukee, Madison and Green Bay, Wisconsin— Today, People For the American Way’s Latinos Vote! Program, in partnership with Voces de la Frontera Action and Win Justice, announced a six-figure, Spanish-language radio and television ad buy in Wisconsin, focused on the important role Latinos can play in ensuring a Joe Biden victory in November.
Ads will air in three of the states’ major media markets: Milwaukee, Madison and Green Bay, beginning this week and run through Election Day. Voters in Wisconsin began receiving their absentee ballots on September 17, and they will now have additional information in Spanish to help them cast their ballots safely and securely for Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and Democrats across Wisconsin.
Listen to the Spanish language radio ad, here. Watch the Spanish TV ad here (English translations below).
The ads begin airing amid growing concerns about the lack of outreach to Latino communities during this 2020 presidential election cycle. There are an estimated 32 million eligible Latino voters nationwide and 156,000 in Wisconsin, which represents 4 percent of all eligible voters in the state--enough to turn the tide in a state Donald Trump won by fewer than 23,000 votes in 2016. This year Latino voters will be the largest racial or ethnic minority participating in a presidential election.
“There’s a tyrant in the White House that we have to remove and the only way to do that is with a high proportion of Latino voters, especially in key states like Wisconsin,” said President of People For the American Way Ben Jealous. “For four years, Latino voters have watched Donald Trump spew xenophobic, racist rhetoric, often disproportionately feeling the brunt of his hateful policies. We know what’s at stake in this election and we must do everything we can to make the case that a Biden-Harris administration will work to repair the damage done by Trump.”
“From his failure to address COVID-19’s health and economic disparities among Latino communities to his violent, hateful rhetoric that has literally ripped families apart, Donald Trump has done nothing but fail Latinos during his time in the White House,” said People For the American Way board member, civil rights and labor leader Dolores Huerta. “Latino voters have already proven that our votes can make a difference in Wisconsin elections, and we have to ensure that every Latino voter has the information they need to cast a safe and secure ballot for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on November 3.”
“Winning Wisconsin is vital for getting Donald Trump and his racist policies out of the White House,” said People For the American Way Latinos Vote! and Political Director Lizet Ocampo. “This year’s elections give Latino voters a chance to restore dignity and safety to our communities -- and we are mobilizing throughout the state to ensure that no Latino voter is overlooked ahead of this monumentally important election.”
Win Justice is a dynamic coalition comprised of partners Community Change Action, SEIU, Planned Parenthood, and Color of Change, that is dedicating $30 million in four battleground states to expand the electorate by mobilizing millions of voters of color, young people, women, and union supporters, many of whom have been marginalized or ignored by traditional campaigns in the past.
“The Latino community has been hit especially hard by this Administration’s complete failure to control the coronavirus and protect our community’s health and safety. But we know the power of the Latino vote, and we are committed to ensuring every Latino family has the tools they need to cast their ballots for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, principled, experienced leaders we can trust to get things done for the community,” said Grecia Lima, National Political Director for Community Change Action, national partner of Win Justice. “The Latino vote this election season will be the secret weapon that wins Wisconsin for the Democratic ticket, and we’re going to ensure every eligible voter can make their voice heard safely and securely, whether voting absentee from home or in person at the polls.”
“November is not just an election, it is a movement to throw out a growing fascist government at the ballot box 42 days from today,” said Christine Neumann-Ortiz, Executive Director of Voces de la Frontera Action. “In 2016, Trump did not win Wisconsin because he had popular support here. He won because not enough people turned out to vote against him. Trump won by less than 23,000 votes in Wisconsin in 2016, and Voces de la Frontera Action is organizing to turn out at least 23,000 multiracial youth, Latinx, and pro-immigrant rural voters in 2020. If we Latinxs turn out, we win.”
Voces de la Frontera Action is the 501c4 advocacy arm of Voces de la Frontera. With the same mission to fight for the rights of low wage and immigrant workers, Voces de la Frontera Action is allowed to have a more active role in lobbying and advocating for better laws. VDLFA can also endorse candidates that best support our communities.
People For the American Way is proud to have partnered with Voces, who are incredible advocates and organizers for Latinos in Wisconsin, nearing ten years on Latino Vote efforts.
ENGLISH TRANSLATION: TV SCRIPT
In Wisconsin, Latinos are changing the course of history. We removed Scott Walker, the Republican governor who didn't care about our community. At the beginning of this year, our vote won state elections regardless of all obstacles. We have shown that our vote has power. Let's vote for a leader with experience and a strong vision for our future. Let's vote for Joe Biden.
Paid for by People For the American Way independent of any candidate or candidate committee.
Win Justice is responsible for the content of this advertising. Paid for by Win Justice, www.winjustice.org. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
ENGLISH TRANSLATION: RADIO SCRIPT
In Wisconsin, Latinos are changing the course of history.
We removed Scott Walker, the Republican governor who didn't care about our community. And earlier this year our vote won state elections despite the challenges and obstacles we faced.
We have already shown that when we organize and vote, we all win.
But there is still a lot to do and we need to make sure our voices continue to be heard.
We cannot wait for things to change, we need to vote.
This election we must elect a leader with experience, dedication, and a strong vision for our future and that of our families. Let's vote for Joe Biden. This is a message from Voces de la Frontera Action.
Paid for by People For the American Way independent of any candidate or candidate committee.
Win Justice is responsible for the content of this advertising. Paid for by Win Justice, www.winjustice.org. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
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About Latinos Vote
People For the American Way’s Latinos Vote! program exposes and counters anti-immigrant, anti-Latino rhetoric and policies. Through electoral work and issue-based campaigns, we hold groups, leaders and influencers accountable for the harm they do to immigrant and Latino communities. For nearly ten years, we’ve run bilingual paid and earned media campaigns in swing states where the Latino vote can be decisive.
El programa Latinos Vote! de People For the American Way expone y combate la retórica y las políticas anti-inmigrantes y anti-latinos. Nuestro programa se organiza mediante trabajo electoral y campañas basadas en temas especificos. En estas areas hacemos responsables a los grupos, líderes y a personas de influencia por el daño que causan a las comunidades inmigrantes y latinas. Por casi diez años, hemos realizado campañas pagadas y logrado campañas ganadas en medios bilingües destinadas a ganar en los estados claves donde el voto latino puede ser decisivo.
About People For the American Way
People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity. Learn more: https://www.pfaw.org.