Some Hispanic Republicans fear for party’s future if Trump wins in Florida

*Not to be cynical, but the “Hispanic” Republicans who fear for the party’s future won’t have to wait too long. They’ll know by tomorrow night if their fears came true – Florida votes tomorrow, along with Illinois, Ohio and North Carolina. Rubio partisans are hoping for a come-from-behind upset. Short of that, it looks like Marco Rubio’s hopes for becoming his party’s nominee are all but over. VL

By James Oliphant and Luciana Lopez, Reuters

HIALEAH, Florida (Reuters) – Conservative Hispanic activists fear a win by Republican frontrunner Donald Trump in Florida’s presidential nominating contest next week will deal a major setback to efforts to widen the party’s appeal beyond white voters, potentially dooming hopes of retaking the White House from Democrats in 2016.

Some of the activists said in interviews they feared a Trump win could prompt many Latino Republicans, angry at his anti-immigrant rhetoric, to stay home on Nov. 8, Election Day, or worse, support the Democratic nominee.

“Sadly, the damage is going to be felt by the Republican Party for years,” said Javier Palomarez, president and CEO of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, of a possible Trump win in Florida on March 15.

“This is a turning point,” he said.

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