Ruben Gallego, the recently elected Democratic Senator from Arizona, who barely edged out Republican Kari Lake, is offering some fresh perspectives.
In a conversation on CNNโs โState of the Union,โ Gallego openly shared that Democrats may have overlooked genuine economic issues.
โThe economy was what truly resonated with people. Thatโs what I heard from folks in Arizona. They were anxious about how much everything cost. Some frustration came from spending money without necessarily helping those in need,โ Gallego started before being interrupted by host Jake Tapper.
โYou mean like spending in Ukraine?โ Tapper inquired.
โYes, exactly. Part of my frustration was our intention to help, limited by lack of Republican support. Addressing economic pain should be a priority. Voters have routinely chosen based on economic insecurity for around two decades now. Democrats should take noteโto provide folks, particularly Latino men, with economic security. Many Latino men believe hard work can solve any problem. I remember not having enough to visit home for Christmas and simply worked extra hours,โ Gallego reflected.
Tapper asked, โWhen you were in the Marines?โ
โNo, during school. I worked at a convention centerโdressing up and handing out fliers. Thatโs how Latino men often think,โ Gallego explained.
โThis time is unique; I have heard some say they donโt feel like theyโre securing their familyโs future. Recognizing this is crucial for Democrats in winning back these voters,โ Gallego continued.
Gallego also discussed Harrisโs lackluster performance with Latino voters, pointing to the partyโs tendency to employ consultants from similar backgrounds, like Ivy League graduates, to craft messages for the Latino community.
โMany politicians were not attuned to what was truly occurring,โ noted Gallego. His campaign focused early on border protection and economic matters.
WATCH:
For Democrats, election night was shattering.
The Senate slipped away, the House wasnโt recaptured, and Kamala Harrisโ campaign fell short in seven pivotal states against President-elect Donald Trump.
Polls had shown a tight race with some advantage for Harris, amplifying the disappointment among party insiders.
Tension arose post-election with Biden and Harris supporters pointing fingers for the defeat. Harris supporters argued the president should have stepped down once it was evident Trump had the upper hand.
Former Obama White House official, Jon Favreau, argued on Pod Save America that Bidenโs June debate showed Trumpโs potential for electoral success if Biden didnโt withdraw.
Moreover, scrutiny on Harrisโ team centers around the campaignโs extensive spending during its tenure surpassing 100 days, despite raising $1 billion, ending with significant debts.
