In late September, Telemundo 62 concluded a survey of Pennsylvania’s registered Hispanic voting bloc, and found the majority favors Democratic candidates on the ballot, according to the findings released Tuesday, Oct. 4. 

The poll was conducted in tandem with Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy, a non-partisan group out of Jacksonville, Florida, and Washington D.C. 

In the gubernatorial contest, PA Attorney General leads with a 60% favorability among the surveyed, whereas Sen. Doug Mastriano, his Republican opponent, is significantly behind at 24%. In the Senate race, Lt. Gov. John Fetterman led the poll at 53%, while 35% said they were likely to vote for Republican Mehmet Oz. 

These findings may serve as an indicator for how aspiring politicians will navigate campaigning efforts, with less than 40 days to go for the November elections.

Just last week, Mastriano, a staunch ally of former Republican President Donald Trump, wandered into Philadelphia to host his first campaigning event, a Hispanic Town Hall. Mastriano’s appearance was hosted by the Small Business Union, a self-proclaimed non-partisan group, ostensibly on behalf of Hispanic small business owner community.

What Mastriano found were folks deeply entrenched in the values espoused by the Republican party concerning abortion and Gov. Tom Wolf’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. More specifically, an alignment with Christian values, an element that remains top of mind for Sen. Mastriano’s right-leaning constituency. 

Amid continued lambasting of Wolf’s pandemic response, no specific legislation was offered by Mastriano.

In the last few weeks, both Shapiro and Fetterman’s camp have also made concerted efforts to reach into Hispanic communities. At the end of July, Shapiro did a walking tour of Latino-owned businesses in North Philadelphia, accompanied by resigned Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sánchez, and her party-endorsed successor Quetcy Lozada. 

Shapiro then told business owners he would support expanded access to permits, as well as provide increased access to applications, according to previous AL DÍA reporting on his North Philadelphia tour. His campaign also boasts revitalizing surrounding infrastructure to allow for the ability for new business to spring in the area.

A stark opponent to Mastriano, Shapiro, in his capacity as Attorney General, asked the United States Supreme Court to toss a lawsuit leveled against Wolf’s coronavirus-driven business shutdowns.

The court ultimately decided not to hear the case, and Wolf’s measures remained in effect.

Fetterman has not strayed behind on Hispanic outreach. In the last year, the Lt. Gov. released a series of Spanish-language ads, voiced by Giselle Barreto Fetterman, Fetterman’s wife and PA’s Second Lady.

Although the ads produce no specific policy, Fetterman’s ads are among the first in Pennsylvania airwaves, specifically directed at the Hispanic community. Shapiro also released his own set of ads, amounting to four commercials between the two candidates.

Neither Mastriano or Oz released similar ad-buys. 

Telemundo’s phoning strategy is aligned with similar surveys in Pennsylvania that sought to understand the political leanings of lawful Hispanic voters in the Commonwealth, who also make up the second largest minority group. 

Previous AL DÍA reporting included a survey by UnidosUS, in partnership with Mi Familia Vota, which found that, on the issues, Hispanics trust the Democratic Party to be better equipped at policy-making. 

Most strikingly, voters revealed that aspiring candidates barely reached out to their communities, eliciting doubts as to whether they would have a preferred candidate come midterms. However, Telemundo’s new poll signals a change in voter temperament, as it relates to their confidence in a candidate’s ability to address their concerns.

Whereas continued efforts may go a long way in securing votes ahead of celebrating elections, candidates could grapple with balancing policy-focused votes with values-forward communities. 

Shapiro has long maintained his stance to protect abortion seekers- and while his position may clash with aforementioned values- Telemundo’s poll shows a majority of women across all age groups support his position, a factor that serves as an indicator of where the base stands in its majority.