New National Poll: Across Party Lines, Latino Voters Overwhelmingly Show Support to Protect the Ocean and Coastline
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New National Poll: Across Party Lines, Latino Voters Overwhelmingly Show Support to Protect the Ocean and Coastline
Azul and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus brief Capitol Hill on the 2026 National Azul Poll: Latinos & the Ocean
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Azul, in cooperation with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), hosted a special briefing on the newly released 2026 National Azul Poll: Latinos & the Ocean. The national survey of more than 2,100 Latino voters shows that environmental and ocean protection is a deeply personal priority for Latino voters across party lines.
The briefing featured Monica Garay, Executive Director of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and Marcela Gutiérrez-Graudiņš, Founder and Executive Director of Azul, alongside Gary Segura, Co-Founder and Principal Partner of BSP Research, who presented the survey’s findings. The presentation was followed by a conversation with Laura Esquivel, Senior Legislative Representative at Earthjustice; Sofía Barboza, Ocean and Coasts Program Manager at Hispanic Access Foundation; and Roland Gonzalez-Pizarro, environmental policy and foreign affairs expert and Azul alum.
“The indisputable fact is Latinos overwhelmingly care about the environment and about conservation. It’s a cultural, lifestyle and survival issue,” said Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. “Whether we are worried about sea level rise, industrial pollution, wildfires, or maintaining the pristine beauty of our nation, Latinos are looking for leaders who will protect our planet.”
“Across party lines, Latino voters agree they want leaders who will protect our ocean. Our poll makes that clear. Our communities are facing real threats from pollution and offshore drilling, and we can’t afford to wait. Latino voters are paying attention, and they want action. These results show the power of our communities to shape ocean policy and protect our coasts, our health, and our ocean for generations to come.” said Marcela Gutiérrez-Graudiņš, Azul’s Founder and Executive Director,
Environmental issues are personal for Latino voters
Ninety-four percent of Latino voters say environmental issues such as pollution and global warming are personally important to them, including 59 percent who say they are very important. Concern is especially high for:
• Water pollution (92%)
• Lead and chemicals in cities and drinking water (91%)
• Air pollution (90%)
• Conserving the ocean (86%)
• Protecting endangered species (86%)
• Global warming (84%)
Ocean protection moves votes, across party lines
• 80% of Latino voters say they would be more likely to support a candidate who backs stronger policies to protect the coastline and ocean.
• 90% say clean beaches and oceans are essential to the economy and quality of life.
• 86% say government has a responsibility to conserve land and ocean areas for the enjoyment of present and future generations.
• 76% say the ocean is important to maintaining their family’s traditions and culture.
The full poll results and methodology are available HERE
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About Azul
Azul is an ocean justice organization working with Latino communities to protect our blue planet. Founded in 2011, Azul has developed and executed campaigns that achieved groundbreaking ocean conservation policy victories at local, national, and international levels.