National Hispanic Professional Organization: Hispanics Split on Presidential Preference but Not on Issues – It’s Still the Economy

Today, the National Hispanic Professional Organization (NHPO) released the results of an online survey of their members on the upcoming Presidential election and issues important to them. The survey was conducted between September 1 and September 7, 2008, with 874 Hispanics participating from across the country.
If the presidential elections were held today, the members of NHPO would split their vote right down the middle. The survey showed Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) with 45.4% and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) with 44.9% of member support.
The survey also showed that 55.9% of NHPO members consider themselves Democrats, 24.5% Republicans, and 14% Independents.
NHPO National Chairman of the Board, Ben Mendez, said, “It is estimated that 12 million Latino voters will participate in this election, which will make up approximately 9% of the total vote. Therefore, we felt it was important to survey our membership in this historical election. Our members sent a clear message that no one can take their vote for granted and that the economy is the most important issue facing them today.”
The survey asked the following eight questions:
1. If the election were held today, who would you vote for President of the United States? Barack Obama 45.4%; John McCain 44.9%; others 4.8%; none of the above 4.9%
2. Have you voted in any of the past two presidential elections? Yes 89.7%; No 10.3%
3. What is your party affiliation? Democrat 55.9%; Republican 24.5%; Independent 14%; other 5.6%
4. What issue is most important to you today? Economy 60.4%; Education 7.7%; Health Care 10.1%; Immigration 7.9%; National Security 8.4%; War in Iraq 5.6%
5. What is your gender? Female 52.6%; Male 47.4%
6. What is your age? 18 to 25 — 3.2%; 26 to 35 — 28.8%; 36 to 45 — 28.7%; 46 to 55 — 27.2%; 56+ 12.0%
7. What is your household income? $0 to 50K — 18.3%; $50 to 100K — 47.5%; $100 to 150K — 20.5%; $150 and above — 13.7%
8. What is the highest degree you have attained? No college 19.5%; Associate 15.6%; Bachelor 40%; Masters 20%; Ph.D. 4.9%
“Historically the Latino vote has often been taken for granted, however, this presidential election I predict you will see more crossover votes than ever before,” said NHPO National President, J.R. Gonzales. “Hispanics have been significant players in the national political landscape. This November, Hispanics will be the deciding factor in Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado and Florida — four of the battleground states.”
In reviewing the NHPO Survey, Hector CarreAo, Chairman of the CarreAo Group, stated, “Even after both Party conventions and after the 18 plus months of political advertising that we have all endured, I find that Latinos are fully engaged in this election, which is too close to call. The poll revealed that 23.5% of Latino Democrats are voting for McCain, that 49.6% of Latinos ages 25 to 35 are voting for Obama, and that 12% of Latinas still undecided.”
Results from the poll can be downloaded at: www.NHPO.us.
About NHPO:
The National Hispanic Professional Organization (NHPO) is a networking, non-profit, membership-based organization that provides a myriad of educational seminars and professional development training to foster and promote self improvement, professional advancement and personal achievement.

www.NHPO.us

About the carreAogroup:
carreAogroup is an award-winning, Latino-owned public affairs firm based in the Southwest United States – the business, cultural and political heartland of American Hispanics. For the past several years, the Houston Business Journal has ranked carreAogroup as one of the top PR firms in its market and in 2007 carreAogroup became a partner firm of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, the world’s leading partnership of independently owned public relations agencies.

www.carrenogroup.com

SOURCE: National Hispanic Professional Organization

For the National Hispanic Professional Organization
Hector CarreAo, 832-217-3440
hector@carrenogroup.com
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