Election expert explains the power of the Latino vote, especially in presidential race

Professor Sharon Navarro with the political science department at UTSA explains how Latinos in Texas and across the United States are impacting the election.

The 2020 General Election caps off a challenging year for the United States, as Americans navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and calls for social justice amid the high stakes of a presidential election year. The balance of power is in play on both the federal and state levels.


Texas has voted for the Republican presidential candidate every year since 1980, but Democratic challenger Joe Biden hopes to change that in his race against President Donald Trump.

Republican Sen. John Cornyn faces Democrat M.J. Hegar in a battle to retain his Senate seat.

U.S. House seats also are being contested, with the showdown in District 23 expected to be the closest, as Republican Tony Gonzales and Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones look to succeed retiring Rep. Will Hurd. Incumbent Chip Roy also faces a challenge from Wendy Davis in District 21.

In Bexar County, the sheriff's race has incumbent Javier Salazar facing challenger Gerry Rickhoff. And the City of San Antonio has two propositions up for approval involving the Pre-K 4 SA program and a new workforce development initiative.