Facing potential Latino voter slide, GOP mobilizes in crucial Senate races ahead of 2026 midterms

Exclusive Politics Facing potential Latino voter slide, GOP mobilizes in crucial Senate races ahead of 2026 midterms By Nidia Cavazos March 18, 2026 / 6:00 AM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google Amid signs that Republicans may be losing some of the Latino support that the party picked up in 2024, grassroots organizations are stepping in to boost GOP Senate candidates in key races during this year's midterms. The LIBRE Initiative Action, a conservative-leaning Latino political group, is set to endorse Republican Sen. Jon Husted for the Senate seat in Ohio and former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whately in the North Carolina Senate race, CBS News has learned. Both races could prove crucial in deciding whether the GOP holds onto control of the Senate. Democrats are eyeing North Carolina as one of their likeliest opportunities to flip a seat, after nominating former Gov. Roy Cooper. In Ohio, the party is aiming to return former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown to the Senate following years of GOP gains in the state.Latino voters make up a fast-growing share of both states' populations, making the group an important factor in any competitive race. The LIBRE Initiative Action says it is planning to emphasize economic issues."In every poll that we've seen and everywhere we go, the economy continues to be number one for the voting Latino citizen," Daniel Garza, the group's senior adviser, told CBS News ahead of Wednesday's endorsement announcement. "It's a priority to the Latino community," Garza continued. "Jobs, inflation, the cost of the utility bill — all of these issues matter. We don't want elected officials who are going to increase the tax burden, impose even more employee mandates, regulations on energy production, health care and make it harder to deliver these services, thereby increasing the cost of everything to the Latino community."According to Garza, the organization plans to support these Republican Senate candidates throu...