Kamala Harris held a Latino outreach event at the Vice President’s Residence in Washington, D.C. Thursday night not on her public schedule that was co-hosted by Voto Latino, a group that has pledged to spend $44 million in support of Harris’ presidential bid.
The View co-host Ana Navarro attended and pledged her support to Harris as she gave her a big hug, “I saw @KamalaHarris, yesterday. Had the chance to tell her in person, I am with her 100%.”
I saw @KamalaHarris, yesterday. Had the chance to tell her in person, I am with her 100%. pic.twitter.com/Ftdsjj09uH
— Ana Navarro-Cárdenas (@ananavarro) July 26, 2024
Voto Latino has two branches that share much of the same board members,the same mailing address, email address and phone number. Voto Latino Foundation is a 501 (c)3 non-profit, while Voto Latino is a 501 (c)4 political organization. The Foundation (wink, wink) co-hosted the event with Kamala Harris on Thursday, according to participants.
Voto Latino endorsed Harris for president last Sunday after Joe Biden suddenly dropped out of the race (excerpt):
Today, Voto Latino, the leading civic engagement organization focused on educating and empowering a new generation of Latino voters, officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in her campaign to be the next President of the United States.
“Voto Latino enthusiastically endorses Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States,” said Voto Latino Co-Founder and President Maria Teresa Kumar.
…As part of its mission to help the Latino community fully realize its political power, Voto Latino is committing an unprecedented $44 million to the largest Latino-focused registration and turnout campaign in U.S. history.
Kumar is on the board of both Voto Latino and Voto Latino Foundation.
The Hill reported Voto Latino will be directing the $44 million toward helping elect Harris (excerpt):
Kumar told The Hill last month that Voto Latino is on track to raise and spend $44 million, up from $36 million four years ago.
The group plans to focus on young Hispanic voters with anti-disinformation, registration and mobilization campaigns in Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.
Those efforts, The Hill has learned, will be geared toward electing Harris, who has a longstanding relationship with Voto Latino.
“The Vice President has been a longtime friend of Voto Latino since our inception 20 years ago. She has been a supporter, a counselor, and a proponent of equal rights for the most marginalized among us, demonstrating that she will be the President for all Americans,” said Kumar.
“We had the great privilege of going on the road with the Vice President for her campus tour conversations with young Americans about the most pressing issues facing their generation. I have witnessed firsthand how she energizes young voters — the very voters who will determine our country’s fate in November.”
Voto Latino posted about their endorsement on Monday:
Voto Latino, the leading civic engagement organization focused on educating and empowering a new generation of Latino voters, officially endorses Vice President Kamala Harris in her campaign to be the next President of the United States. pic.twitter.com/pMIR82a6GN
— Voto Latino (@votolatino) July 22, 2024
The Latino outreach event at the Vice President’s Residence was not included on Harris’ schedule for Thursday as released by the White House:
DAILY GUIDANCE FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT
FOR THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2024
At 10:00 AM CT, the Vice President will deliver the keynote speech at the American Federation of Teachers’ 88^th national convention. These remarks will be pooled press, open to pre-credentialed media, and livestreamed at WhiteHouse.gov/live.At 11:00 AM CT, the Vice President will depart Houston, TX en route to Washington, DC. This departure from Ellington Airfield will be pooled press.
At 2:35 PM ET, the Vice President will arrive in Washington, DC. This arrival at Joint Base Andrews will be pooled press.
At 4:30 PM ET, the Vice President will host a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel. This meeting in the Vice President’s Ceremonial Office will have a photo spray at the top.
The New York Times noted the gathering focused on immigration policy and voter outreach (excerpt):
…“That background brings empathy and understanding to the immigrant agenda,” said Héctor Sánchez Barba, president Mi Familia Vota, a group that works to mobilize Latino voters.
Mr. Sánchez Barba has loudly denounced the Biden administration’s actions to shut down the border and curb asylum. But he was among the Latino leaders who attended a barbecue on Thursday at Ms. Harris’s Washington residence, where they had the chance to discuss policy and Latino voter outreach with the vice president. Mr. Sánchez Barba and other attendees said they had left feeling “hopeful” that Ms. Harris would be able to articulate a vision that would balance border enforcement with improving legal pathways for citizenship.
The Hispanic Federation credited Voto Latino Foundation for co-hosting the event, “HF president & CEO, Frankie Miranda, was honored with the invitation of the summer! Yesterday, Frankie joined the @VP Kamala Harris and Mr. Emhoff at their residence alongside incredible Latino leadership from all over the country. The event was a remarkable celebration of Latino leaders showcasing the unity and strength of our community…We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the @VP for bringing together such an inspiring group of Latino leaders and @votolatino Foundation for co-hosting. It was an evening of culture, celebration, collaboration, and commitment to the continued progress and success of the Latino community in our country! ¡Mil gracias!”
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the @VP for bringing together such an inspiring group of Latino leaders and @votolatino Foundation for co-hosting. It was an evening of culture, celebration, collaboration, and commitment to the continued progress and success of the Latino… pic.twitter.com/FVBQRzN30d
— Hispanic Federation (@HispanicFed) July 26, 2024
An Instagram video from the event went viral, with Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff talking tacos with the ten-year-old son of a guest. The guest also thanked Voto Latino for co-hosting the event.
X version for those who have trouble with Instagram:
This has 200k likes on TikTok pic.twitter.com/eUwH0epGLN
— D (@dilemmv) July 27, 2024
Texas State Representative Trey Martinez Fischer (D) made clear this was related to the presidential election, “Had a blast at @VP @kamalaharris’ BBQ last night, celebrating Latino community leaders. This November – we’re going to fight like hell, and build a coalition that reflects the diversity of America. Todos con Kamala!”
Had a blast at @VP @kamalaharris’ BBQ last night, celebrating Latino community leaders.
This November – we’re going to fight like hell, and build a coalition that reflects the diversity of America.
Todos con Kamala! pic.twitter.com/Gmgi1322TT
— TMF (@TMFtx) July 26, 2024
(Nice swimming pool.)
Texas State Senator Carol Alvarado (D), “Energized group of Latino leaders gathered at @VP @KamalaHarris’ residence to rally our support for the next President of the United States!! We’re fired up & ready to deliver!! Good to see many long time DC friends & new ones @ananavarro”
Energized group of Latino leaders gathered at @VP @KamalaHarris’ residence to rally our support for the next President of the United States!! We’re fired up & ready to deliver!! Good to see many long time DC friends & new ones @ananavarro pic.twitter.com/ZcKVGUlYMb
— Carol Alvarado (@CarolforTexas) July 26, 2024
