Passaic Today

Steve Cortes, president of the League of American Workers, said that ethnic voters in New Jersey are increasingly embracing populist politics and rejecting Democratic dominance. This statement was made on X.

"ETHNIC NEW JERSEY MOVES RIGHT," said Cortes. "Tony Soprano's hometown flipped Red in 2024. Patriotic, gritty, hardworking New Jersey citizens are tired of the corrupt Dem machine in their state. New Jersey patriots rally to patriotic populism — people with names like Soprano and Romero."

New Jersey's 2024 elections demonstrated significant shifts among working-class and ethnic voters. Analysts have attributed these changes to concerns over inflation and affordability. According to New Jersey Monitor, Republicans gained ground in traditionally Democratic areas, reflecting broader national realignment pressures as economic messaging resonated more strongly with blue-collar communities.

A NJ Spotlight News analysis indicated that many suburban municipalities either narrowed their Democratic margins or flipped Republican in 2024. However, North Caldwell, the Essex County suburb known as Tony Soprano’s hometown, was not individually detailed. The overall breakdown showed a significant reduction in Democrats’ statewide margin compared to 2020, highlighting a suburban shift toward the GOP.

According to Rutgers’ Eagleton Poll conducted in November 2024, the economy ranked as the top issue for New Jersey voters, followed by immigration and reproductive rights. The survey revealed that middle- and working-class voters cited cost pressures and inflation as central factors influencing their turnout choices across demographic and ethnic lines.

Cortes is a former financial strategist and media commentator who served as a senior adviser and Hispanic outreach lead for Donald Trump’s campaigns in 2016 and 2020. His public biography notes appearances on CNN, Fox, and CNBC. He now focuses on grassroots advocacy for blue-collar workers while criticizing Democratic-aligned unions.

The League of American Workers, founded by Cortes, describes itself as a populist advocacy group representing U.S. blue-collar interests. According to its website, the organization promotes research and messaging around wages, immigration, and crime while positioning itself against union leadership it argues is tied to party elites. It has engaged in polling and public campaigns to amplify worker priorities.