Latino Attitudes About Surrogate Representation in the United States*

Abstract

ObjectiveDetermine the effects of linked fate, group identification, perceptions of discrimination, and acculturation on Latino attitudes about surrogate representation, which occurs when elected officials represent people outside of their electoral constituency.MethodsAnalysis of public opinion data to determine whether Latinos feel that Latino‐elected officials from other states represent them and assess which Latinos are more or less likely to feel this way.ResultsLinked fate and identifying primarily with one's national origin group, instead of as an American, enhance the perception of surrogate representation. Less‐acculturated Latinos are also more likely to look to surrogates for representation. Perceiving that one has been a victim of discrimination, on the other hand, alienates Latinos from co‐ethnic representatives, making them less likely to feel represented by surrogates.ConclusionMany Latinos without descriptive representation still feel represented via surrogates, but high rates of perceptions of discrimination are a cause for concern.