Republicans are losing their stronghold states as Hispanics shun the party

***

In the Senate, Hispanics gained a seat with a victory by Texas Republican Ted Cruz.

Obama sealed his victory partly by amassing big victories in heavily Hispanic pockets of swing states including Florida. Hispanic population growth helps explain why California and New Jersey are Democratic strongholds and no longer competitive in White House elections, and why Texas may someday shift from its one-party Republicanism.

“Within the next six to eight years, I believe Texas will be at least be a purple state if not a blue state,“ San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro said on CNN Thursday, referring to the colors that political commentators assign to independent-leaning and Democratic-leaning states.

***

Rep. Charles Gonzalez, D-Texas, said that the Republican Party has “justifiably earned a very, very low reputation among Latinos“ because of its use of immigration issues to “really vilify the Latino immigrant.“

***