ABC News reports that The LIBRE Initiative, a nonprofit partly funded by the Koch family’s conservative political network, has launched a nationwide multimillion-dollar campaign aimed at Latino voters ahead of the United States’ 250th anniversary.
The project, called “One Small Step,” is being carried out with Americans for Prosperity, another Koch-affiliated group, and seeks to connect Latinos with the country’s “founding principles,” according to Daniel Garza, LIBRE’s executive director. Garza told ABC News the goal is to help Latinos see themselves in the nation’s history and embrace free-market and limited-government values.
The multi-year campaign will include community events, civics classes, and paid media on TV and YouTube, organized through LIBRE’s state chapters.
For decades, conservative groups like LIBRE have sought to attract Latino voters to Republican causes, especially around elections. In 2024, Donald Trump won 48% of the Hispanic vote, nearly matching Vice President Kamala Harris — a 12-point improvement over his 2020 results.
However, ABC News notes that recent polls show low approval ratings for Trump among Latino voters, particularly on immigration and deportation policies. A New York Times poll found that 75% of Hispanic voters disapprove of his handling of immigration.
Still, Republican strategists hope this campaign will strengthen ties with Latino communities and build long-term political influence across the country.
