Naturalized Citizen Vote for Biden at 63% in 2020, Challenging GOP Narrative

Virginia's Lieutenant Governor, Winsome Sears, an immigrant from Jamaica and a prominent Republican, is widely considered a leading candidate for the 2025 gubernatorial election. This context has brought renewed attention to the voting patterns of naturalized citizens, particularly following a recent social media post by Sam Peak. Peak's tweet challenged a perceived contradiction, stating, "> The leading GOP gubernatorial candidate in Virginia and current Lt. Governor is an immigrant. Trump won the majority of naturalized citizen voters. How is this lie continuing?"

However, comprehensive data from the 2020 presidential election indicates that former President Donald Trump did not win the majority of naturalized citizen voters. Analyses by organizations such as the Pew Research Center and the Associated Press's VoteCast survey reveal that approximately 63% of naturalized citizens cast their ballots for Joe Biden, while Trump garnered around 35% of this demographic. This data directly contradicts the assertion made in the tweet regarding Trump's performance among this critical voter segment.

Lieutenant Governor Sears, who made history as the first woman, first Black woman, and first immigrant to hold her current office in Virginia, represents a growing, albeit still smaller, contingent of immigrant voters who align with the Republican Party. Her potential gubernatorial bid in 2025 highlights the evolving dynamics within the GOP and its efforts to broaden its appeal. Sears's background often serves as a counter-narrative to general perceptions of immigrant political affiliations.

While the Democratic Party has historically enjoyed strong support from immigrant communities, the Republican Party has made targeted efforts to engage specific groups. These efforts have seen some success, particularly among immigrant populations with strong anti-socialist or anti-communist sentiments, such as certain Cuban American and Venezuelan American communities. Economic issues and social conservative values can also draw some immigrant voters towards the GOP platform.

Despite these inroads, the Republican Party's broader stance and rhetoric on immigration policy often pose a significant barrier to securing widespread support among naturalized citizens. The voting patterns observed in 2020 underscore the continued challenge for the GOP in winning over a majority of this diverse and growing electorate, even as individual immigrant figures like Winsome Sears rise to prominence within the party.