The Conservative Latino Celebrity: We Investigate
Twitter: @Danieluh
Ronald Reagan famously said, “Latinos are Republicans — they just don’t know it yet.”
But historically, an overwhelming percentage of Latinos continue to vote and identify as liberal, with only small, contained populations swaying to the right. According to Fox News Latino, 64% of Mexican Americans and 67% of Puerto Ricans were polled to vote for the Obama/Biden ticket this November, and only 39 % of the Cuban Americans polled said they would vote for the Democratic side.
Even though Cuban Americans tend to be the largest group of Latino Americans that vote conservative, there has been a shift in the younger generations of Latinos, who are now looking into the issues that directly affect their demographic today.
Huge Latino stars like Marc Anthony and Eva Longoria- who is one of the 35 national co-chairs appointed by the Obama reelection campaign- have been strong voices for the Democratic vote. But still, there are some conservative Latinos who may or may not shock you. Based on their past endorsements and current registered voting status, they do, in fact, exist. The more you know…
Erik Estrada– The Puerto Rican CHIPS actor endorsed Senator John McCain during the 2008 elections,and garnered some attention earlier this year with his Tweets to Suzanne Somers, praising her remarks on Clint Eastwood’s strange appearance at the Republican National Convention. Hey! Twitter is serious bizness y’all!
Daddy Yankee– Although his current party affiliation is unclear, Yankee did endorse John McCain during a rally in Phoenix for the 2008 election, prompting many in the hip-hip/urban community to attack him, namely Puerto Rican/Cuban rapper Fat Joe, claiming Yankee was a “sell-out” to Latinos.
Andy Garcia – Garcia and his family fled to Miami from Cuba after Fidel Castro came to power, and is known to be a registered Republican. Earlier this year, Garcia attended a fundraiser for Mayor Carlos Giménez of Miami-Dade County and openly opposes abortion, though he’s said that he doesn’t believe policy should impose his religious beliefs on others.
Raquel Welch– Former pinup girl and sex symbol Welch identifies as a conservative, influenced by her Christian upbringing. She has also claimed that The Pill has “ruined the institution of marriage.” I guess these views weren’t of use when Playboy Magazine heralded her as “The Most Desired Woman of the ‘70s”.
Jaci Velasquez– Gospel singer and actress of Mexican descent, Velasquez has not been shy of hiding her support of the Conservative party. In an effort to rally the young Latino vote, the Bush campaign sought Velasquez to perform at the 2004 Republic National Convention.
Eduardo Verastegui– The dreamy Mexican model-actor, who frolicked as a half-naked gypsy in J-Lo’s “Aint It Funny” music video, is a staunch conservative, who endorsed McCain’s campaign in 2008. He says he was brought back to his Catholic roots from his speech coach he consulted with to lessen his accent in “Chasing Papi.” (Que?) Verastegui is strongly pro-life and has founded the non-profit organization “Manto de Guadalupe,” to “defend life from conception to natural death.”