When the history books are written about the 2016 campaign, one of the major chapters will describe the giant surge of Hispanic voters who entered national politics in full force to change the political demographic map of America forever.

National and state polls show a powerful move by Hispanic voters showing far greater enthusiasm favoring Democrats, substantially greater support for Democrats than in previous national elections, and Hispanic early voting totals that are far above average and record-shattering in some states, including Florida.





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As The New York Times reported on Sunday, in Florida at least 200,000 more Hispanics had already voted by Friday than the entire total for 2012. In Nevada, Democrats have gained a huge advantage in voter-heavy Clark County in large measure because of the heavy surge of Hispanic voters. Similar enthusiasm and voting patterns for Hispanic voters have occurred in Colorado, Arizona, North Carolina, New Mexico, Arizona, Virginia, Texas and other states.Throughout the last decade, the worry among Democratic strategists has been that many Hispanic voters who favor Democrats would not turn out at the polls, which has often been the case. The hope among Republican strategists has been that an effective GOP candidate could appeal to Hispanics and reduce the Democratic margin in this vital constituency, which has sometimes been the case.What is happening in 2016 is powerful, explosive and unique. The surge of Hispanic turnout and preference for Democrats could be the deciding factor in a close contest betweenand. If the new trend of 2016 becomes a long-term trend, it could contribute mightily to a realignment in American politics that would include breakthrough gains for Hispanic and female voters for Democrats.I have been writing columns throughout the last year about the potential for huge Democratic gains from a demographic wave of Hispanic voters. This was one reason I suggested Clinton choose Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.) as her running mate, and would suggest here that Becerra continue to hold a very prominent place in the House Democratic leadership in the next Congress.The Democratic advantage with Hispanic voters, and the Republican problem with this extremely important voting group, was dramatized by the campaign of Donald Trump, who played dog-whistle politics against Hispanics by slandering Mexican immigrants as rapists and criminals and calling for a new form of immigrant police to deport as many as 10 million immigrants.Trump's yearlong campaign of advocating draconian immigration policies created a yearlong period of intense worry and anger from Hispanic leaders, Hispanic media and Hispanic voters, from communities to churches. This yearlong Trump campaign created a viral backlash that has built increasing antagonism toward Republicans throughout the Hispanic community, and this viral backlash became a powerful motivating and organizing vehicle that is reaching a crescendo in early voting and Election Day turnout that is giving Clinton and Democrats a huge boost.The GOP problem and the Democrat's advantage with Hispanics began before the political explosion that Trump ignited. For years Democrats had proposed immigration reforms that would have strengthened enforcement while being fair, just and decent to immigrants. When Senate Republicans reached a major bipartisan agreement with Democrats over immigration that should have become law, the GOP had a golden opportunity to reach out to Hispanic voters while improving enforcement.Republicans blew it.

When the great compromise over immigration in the Senate was sabotaged by House Republicans, followed by Trump taking immigration positions that was hostile to Hispanics, the die was cast for a great awakening and political uprising of Hispanic voters.



Make no mistake, the sleeping giant has been awakened. The realigning potential of the Hispanic surge for Democrats is real. The impact on the presidential election and campaigns for the Senate and House will be substantial in 2016, and if Republicans continue on their current course they will regret it. American politics will never be the same.

Budowsky was an aide to former Sen. Lloyd Bentsen (D-Texas) and former Chief Deputy Majority Whip Bill Alexander (D-Ark.). He holds an LL.M. degree in international financial law from the London School of Economics. Contact him at brentbbi@webtv.net.

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