Chuck Rocha and Mike Madrid break down the congressional districts, Senate primaries, and demographic shifts that will decide who controls Washington. From South Texas to Miami to California’s Central Valley, they map out the Latino-heavy seats that could flip the House. And possibly reshape both political parties.

They analyze early voting trends in Texas, the role of Latino turnout in urban centers like Houston and Dallas, and the myth that the Rio Grande Valley alone defines Latino political power. The conversation digs into suburban versus rural Latino voters, Cuban shifts in South Florida, and why 30% Latino population has historically been a tipping point in competitive districts.

Chuck & Mike also tackle the bigger question: Are Democrats and Republicans adapting to Latino voters. Or still misunderstanding them? And what happens when both parties try to claim a community that increasingly refuses to be boxed into red-versus-blue politics?

If you want to understand where the 2026 midterms will really be decided, this is your battlefield briefing.

The numbers. The districts. The strategy. The Latino vote isn’t an afterthought anymore. It’s the front line.

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Recorded February 18, 2026

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Mike Madrid flies solo to unpack the future of Latino politics — and why 2026 could mark the beginning of an entirely new chapter.

From Bad Bunny’s Spanish-language Super Bowl moment to the political aftershocks of Trump 2.0, Mike breaks down what he calls a Latino inflection point: a generational shift away from blind party loyalty and toward accountability.

1. Why are Latino voters swinging harder than any other group in America?
2. Why are both Democrats and Republicans failing to deliver real results?
3. And why is representation no longer enough?

Mike challenges Latino elected officials across the country to stop patching up broken systems in education, housing, and economic opportunity, and instead have the courage to rebuild them entirely. His point: Latino voters may be the last true swing vote in America — not because they lack ideology, but because they’re demanding results.

Are Latino voters redefining American democracy — or exposing its failures?

Tune in for one of the most candid and consequential conversations of the season.

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Recorded February 11, 2026.

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Referenced in the episode:

• PPIC - 'Remedial Courses in Community Colleges are a Major Hurdle to Success': https://www.ppic.org/press-release/remedial-courses-in-community-colleges-are-major-hurdle-to-success/
• PPIC - 'Remedial Education in California’s Colleges and Universities': https://www.ppic.org/publication/remedial-education-in-californias-colleges-and-universities/

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Latino voters just delivered one of the biggest political shocks of the 2026 cycle — a 50+ point swing in Latino precincts in a deep-red Texas Senate district. The message is clear: Latinos are no longer loyal to either party, and they’re demanding results.

Mike and Chuck dig into what’s really driving Latino voters in 2026: an aspirational, working-class agenda centered on housing, health care, and hope. They unpack why immigration enforcement, economic pain, and cultural backlash are reshaping the electorate, why Republicans are panicking, and why Democrats can’t afford to blow this second chance.

The guys also preview Bad Bunny's upcoming Superbowl performance, its significant cultural reference, and the opposing alternative halftime show being pushed by MAGA Trumpers. Send us pictures of your Superbowl Halftime experience!

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Recorded February 4, 2026.

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Referenced in the episode:

• Votehub - 2026 Texas Senate District 9 Special Election Interactive Map: https://votehub.com/2026_txsd9_special
• ABC 7 | WJLA - 'Snowcrete' piles persist as DC leaders push cleanup efforts forward: https://wjla.com/news/local/snowcrete-piles-dc-leaders-push-cleanup-efforts-forward-winter-snow-storm-icicy-roads-streets-public-schools-open-mayor-bowser-residents-safety-community-removal-shovel-fines-senior-housing-sidewalks-streets-dmv
• The Guardian - Donald Trump announces plans for Indycar race through Washington DC streets: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jan/30/trump-indycar-grand-prix-washington-dc
• The New York Times - Bad Bunny’s All-American, All-Spanish, All-Eyes-on-Him Super Bowl: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/arts/music/bad-bunny-super-bowl-halftime-show.html
• KTLA5 - Kid Rock lyrics about underage girls draw questions ahead of ‘faith and family’-based TPUSA show: https://ktla.com/entertainment/kid-rock-lyrics-about-underage-girls-draw-questions-ahead-of-faith-and-family-based-tpusa-show

Check out the rest of the references and recent news on the latino vote on our website: https://latinos.vote/

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Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more episodes of The Latino Vote Podcast!

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Can we really do 3 more years of this?

Chuck Rocha and Mike Madrid mark the one-year anniversary of Trump's second term by dissecting the chaos of his first year back in office. From the Davos speech signaling the end of American global dominance to Trump's bizarre threats against Greenland, Chuck and Mike break down how the president has squandered political capital on foreign distractions instead of addressing what voters actually care about: gas and groceries.

Our hosts tackle Trump's immigration overreach, the symbolic terror of his deportation tactics, and how Democrats like Katie Porter and Abigail Spanberger are focusing on real kitchen-table issues like utility costs and childcare. Chuck shares insights from his work on James Talarico's Texas Senate race, including their strategic first ad buy during a Mexico vs. Panama soccer match, while Mike explains why this race could define Latino political identity for years to come.

Plus: Chuck announces an upcoming town hall with Senator Ruben Gallego, and previews his Valentine's weekend trip to Oaxaca. Unfiltered, unadulterated, and always speaking truth to power. Enjoy this episode of the Latino Vote Podcast.

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Recorded January 21, 2026

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Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more episodes of The Latino Vote Podcast!

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Chuck Rocha returns from his gorilla-tracking adventure in Rwanda (complete with wild stories and a new honorary tribal chief title) to dive deep with Mike Madrid into why Latino voters are uniquely positioned to reshape American politics.

In this episode, Mike breaks down the stunning data showing that while other voters remain locked in partisan camps with only 2-3% swings, working-class Latinos are swinging 11-15% between elections—making them the only true swing voting bloc left in America. From kicking out Republicans across the country in 2025 to determining crucial Texas House races in March of this year, Mike and Chuck explore why Latino voters' willingness to hold politicians accountable regardless of party might be the most rational response in an otherwise polarized system.

Plus: reflections on faith and politics in Latino communities, the inside story of the Jasmine Crockett-Colin Allred Senate race dynamics, and why this generational transformation will define American politics through 2050. And yes, Chuck shares what it's really like to sit face-to-face with silverback gorillas (spoiler: there's no glass between you).

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Recorded: January 14, 2026

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Referenced in the episode:

• Check out Senator Ruben Gallego's 'Path Home' housing affordability plan video: https://x.com/SenRubenGallego/status/2011451211225166201
• 'Can James Talarico Reclaim Christianity for the Left?' form the Ezra Klein podcast: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/13/opinion/ezra-klein-podcast-james-talarico.html

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Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more episodes of The Latino Vote Podcast!

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Meet Mickey Ibarra - a name that defined Latino excellence in Washington D.C. for decades.

On this episode of the Latino Vote Voices: Mike Madrid sits down with the former Assistant to President Clinton who went from Utah foster care to the West Wing, and is now preserving Latino stories for future generations.

Mickey opens up about his father's path from bracero worker in Oaxaca to successful small business owner in Sacramento, and how reconnecting with his Mexican heritage at age 15 transformed his life during the height of the Chicano movement in 1966. He recounts witnessing Robert F. Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey campaign in 1968, following his father's footsteps to serve in Germany during the Vietnam era, and ultimately finding his calling in public service.

As founder of the Latino Leaders Network and author of the newly released "Latino Leaders Speak: Volume Two," Mickey discusses his mission to preserve and celebrate Latino success stories across all sectors of American society. He reflects on the parallels between the turbulent 1960s and today's political climate, offering wisdom on how young Latinos can navigate uncertainty and prepare for opportunities they can't yet imagine.

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Recorded Jan 12, 2026.

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Check out Mickey Ibarra's latest work: 'Latino Leaders Speak: Personal Stories of Struggle and Triumph, Volume II' -
https://artepublicopress.com/product/latino-leaders-speak-personal-stories-of-struggle-and-triumph-volume-ii/

Latino Leaders Network Website: https://www.latinoleadersnetwork.org/latino-leaders-speak

Bill Clinton's ad referenced in the episode: 'A Man From Hope' - https://mediaburn.org/videos/the-man-from-hope/

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Welcome to the 2026 Season Premiere of the Latino Vote Podcast! And what a long year it has already been.

Chuck Rocha and Mike Madrid return from the holiday break with heavy hearts as they tackle a tumultuous start to 2026. Our hosts dissect the fatal ICE shooting of Renee Good in Minnesota, Trump's intervention in Venezuela, and what these events signal about America's shift toward authoritarianism both at home and abroad.

Drawing on Chuck’s recent travels in Africa and reflections on history, genocide, faith, and humanity, the conversation explores how fear is weaponized, how power is exercised, and why the rule of law feels increasingly fragile. Mike connects the dots between global instability, domestic policy, and the political consequences already reshaping Latino communities—especially as primaries approach in Texas and beyond.

But this isn't just doom and gloom. Mike and Chuck chart a path forward for Democrats in 2026, arguing that Latino voters—and all Americans who believe in good over power—need results now.

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Recorded December 8, 2026.

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Thank you to all of you, who tuned in to the Latino Vote Podcast this year. Your engagement, support, and passion for Latino political empowerment have made this community what it is. As Chuck and Mike said: 2026 will be the year of the Latino Voter!

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In this year-end holiday episode of The Latino Vote Podcast, Chuck Rocha and Mike Madrid take stock of a political year that reshaped American politics — and put Latino voters squarely at the center of what comes next.

From Trump fatigue and collapsing approval numbers to redistricting battles in Texas and California, Chuck and Mike break down why 2026 is already shaping up to be the year of the Latino voter. They dive deep into critical upcoming primaries including the Texas Senate race between Talarico and Crockett, the emergence of young Latina candidates like Eva Lopez Chavez in Utah's new district, and the need to elevate Latino voices across the political spectrum.

With a surge of Latino candidates running in unexpected places like Utah, Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, 2026 may be the year we build lasting Latino political infrastructure nationwide.

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Recorded Dec 17, 2025.

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Check out Eva Lopez Chavez' campaign announcement video. Consider donating to help her run for Utah's newly drawn congressional district: https://x.com/evaforutah/status/2000655039271247920

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Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more episodes of The Latino Vote Podcast!

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