Marc Anthony addresses Latino voters in Harris campaign ad
The Harris campaign on Friday unveiled an ad featuring singer Marc Anthony aimed at persuading Latino voters to back the vice president in November’s election.
The 60-second ad features Anthony reminding viewers of some of the more controversial moments of former President Trump’s time in office, particularly instances that directly impacted Latinos.
“Even though some have forgotten, I remember what it was like when Donald Trump was president,” Anthony says in the ad.
Anthony, who performed the “Star-Spangled Banner” at the Democratic convention in 2012, recounted Trump’s handling of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico over footage of Trump flipping paper towels into the crowd.
He cited Trump’s comments during his 2016 campaign launch when he referred to some Mexican immigrants as “criminals” and “rapists.” And he highlighted the Trump administration's policy of separating thousands of families who crossed the southern border illegally.
“This election goes way beyond political parties. Let’s remember what the United States represents and stands for: UNITED. Regardless of where we’re from,” Anthony says in the ad. “I am Marc Anthony and I remember. That’s why I support Kamala Harris for president.”
The ad is part of the Harris campaign’s ongoing $370 million ad buy through Election Day. It will air nationally on Telemundo and WAPA America TV, during Sunday’s Billboard Latin Music Awards and in Pennsylvania on Telemundo and Univision, the Harris campaign said.
Latino voters are expected to play a pivotal role in November's election, and polling has shown the Harris campaign still has work to do to consolidate support among the voting bloc.
A New York Times/Siena College poll of Hispanic voters published Saturday found 56 percent said they would vote for Harris, while 37 percent said they would vote for Trump. Exit polls in 2020 showed President Biden won 65 percent of Latino voters, compared to 32 percent who voted for Trump.