By Minerva Torres-Shilton
Before answering this question, let me share why I became a conservative.
My conservative beliefs, my Republican affiliation, are not just political labels. They are the result of personal and family experiences that have shaped my understanding of justice, law, and government. These experiences, instilled in me from a young age, taught me the importance of the rule of law, hard work, and limited government.
As a child, I heard stories of how the Mexican government failed my grandparents. My grandfather was killed by authorities who wanted his land. My grandmother was allowed to stay but only on a small part of what was once a vast property. That injustice left a lasting impression on me. It taught me that law enforcement must be just and non-corrupt. If we cannot rely on those in power to protect us, who can we depend on?
A year before I was born, my father returned to Tampico, Tamaulipas, to reclaim the land that rightfully belonged to him. Once again, the government failed him. Because he had become an American citizen and renounced his Mexican citizenship, he was quickly deported. This reinforced a fundamental belief: laws must be clear, fair, and consistently applied, not based on who you know.
In the U.S., when I was nine, I saw another injustice. My father, a television repairman, was falsely accused of a crime by his boss, who was upset that my father was offered a better opportunity. Lacking evidence and English proficiency, my father was found guilty in a civil trial. That experience shaped me. How could an innocent person be found guilty? From that moment, I worked hard so that no one in my family or community would suffer a similar fate. My belief in justice and the rule of law grew stronger.
My support for small government is not just a political stance. It is a reflection of my family’s experience as a business owner. I saw firsthand how much money the government took from our hard-earned income while helping manage the finances of our family business. My father taught me that economic freedom empowers people, not government control. This family experience has deeply influenced my political beliefs.
Contrary to what the media may suggest, my conservative beliefs were not shaped by television or talk radio. They were shaped at home, through the real-life experiences of my family and community. I believe many Hispanics today share a similar journey, where personal experiences play a significant role in shaping their political beliefs.
Many left their homelands because of corrupt governments. We support the rule of law, and that’s why we came to the U.S. Many Hispanics are natural entrepreneurs who work tirelessly to build something of their own. They want a government that supports their efforts through lower taxes and fewer obstacles, not one that stifles progress or silences voices.
In America, we have a voice through our vote, and Hispanics are making that voice heard. More and more are turning to the Republican Party because it aligns with their values: faith, family, freedom, and opportunity. They want a party that stands for what they believe in and champions the American Dream, a dream of prosperity, success, and upward mobility. The shift is happening because their personal journey has shown them the value of justice, opportunity, and freedom, and they see the Republican Party as a vehicle to realize this dream.