Latinos, Military Service, and Support for Bush and Kerry in 2004

Abstract

The 2004 presidential election raised a number of questions about the role of military service in political campaigns, particularly how it affects individual-level engagement in politics. However, only a few social scientists have tested theories about the military and politics with survey data or electoral returns. This article examines whether military service and opinions about the war in Iraq were associated with Latino support for Bush and Kerry in 2004. The data set is a preelection national survey of Latinos that includes questions about political engagement, partisanship, and previous military service. Latinos with military experience were more likely to support Kerry. In addition, Latinos who opposed the war in Iraq were less supportive of Bush, and Latinos with military experience who opposed the war were the most strongly opposed to Bush. These results contribute to an understanding of the Latino vote in the 2004 presidential election and the role of military service in electoral politics.