Latino Business Owner in Passaic County Explains His Support for President Trump and GOP’s Growing Momentum in New Jersey
A Voice from Passaic County: Angel Castillo’s Political Journey
PASSAIC COUNTY, N.J. — In the heart of northern New Jersey, Angel Castillo, a Dominican-born restaurant owner in Passaic County, reflects on how his views transformed over the past decade. Once a loyal Democrat, Castillo now proudly identifies as a Republican supporter — a shift that mirrors the broader political realignment underway among Latino voters across parts of the United States.
“I used to vote Democrat all my life,” Castillo said during a recent interview inside his bustling family restaurant, where bilingual chatter and the aroma of roasted pork fill the air. “But when I first heard Trump speak in 2016, it hit me — this guy speaks just like everybody else. He’s real, and he says what he means.”
It was that sense of authenticity, Castillo explained, that led him to cast his first vote for a Republican presidential candidate nearly a decade ago. Since then, he says, his confidence in President Donald Trump’s leadership has only deepened, praising the administration’s focus on economic growth and law enforcement.
The New Republican Landscape Among Latino Voters
Across New Jersey, and particularly in Passaic County, a region with one of the state’s highest Latino populations, political loyalties are shifting. In the 2024 presidential election, Trump achieved a groundbreaking victory by flipping Passaic County — a Democratic stronghold for decades — signaling the GOP’s growing appeal among Hispanic and Latino communities.
While Democrats still maintain strong support in cities such as Paterson and Clifton, local analysts say that increased Republican outreach, coupled with economic and cultural issues, has altered long-held assumptions about Latino voting patterns. Recent surveys from regional political research organizations show that Latino men, especially those who own small businesses or work in law enforcement, are increasingly aligning themselves with the Republican Party’s messages on entrepreneurship, public safety, and immigration enforcement.
For Castillo, those issues are personal. “My business depends on people being able to work hard and follow the rules,” he said, gesturing toward the kitchen where several employees were preparing lunch orders. “I’m not against immigrants — I came here from the Dominican Republic — but I believe in doing things the right way. When Trump said he was going to enforce the law, I believed him.”
The Economic Context: Small Business Owners and Growth Concerns
Small businesses like Castillo’s have long been the cornerstone of Passaic County’s local economy. The area’s dense mix of family-owned restaurants, bodegas, construction companies, and beauty salons reflects the diversity of its communities — many of which are led by immigrants or first-generation Americans.
During Trump’s first term, Castillo said his restaurant thrived, citing tax relief measures and a general feeling of optimism in his neighborhood. After weathering economic challenges during the pandemic years, he credits post-lockdown spending policies and a renewed emphasis on domestic business investment for helping small enterprises rebound.
“People started eating out again,” Castillo recalled. “Suppliers were reliable, and customers had money in their pockets. For us small guys, that stability made all the difference.”
Economists note that the perception of economic stability can often play a larger role in political alignment than policy specifics. In New Jersey, where the cost of living and regulatory environment can strain small enterprises, business owners who feel heard by policymakers tend to remain loyal. Castillo’s experience underscores that sentiment.
Political Shifts in New Jersey: A New Dynamic
Trump’s 2024 victory in Passaic County marks one of the most significant political developments in New Jersey’s recent history. The county, with its deep labor roots and ethnic diversity, had not voted for a Republican presidential candidate in generations. Political strategists attribute the turnaround to targeted outreach campaigns, community engagement in Spanish-language media, and sustained efforts to connect on issues that directly affect working-class families.
In comparison, other counties in northern New Jersey have shown similar patterns, though not all shifted as dramatically. Hudson County, for instance, remained largely Democratic but recorded a noticeable increase in Republican vote share throughout Union City and West New York — two cities with large Latino populations. Analysts suggest that while cultural identification and family values play a role, economic pragmatism has become a decisive factor.
“Latinos are not moving to the right necessarily because of ideology,” said a political science professor at Rutgers University. “They are responding to immediate, practical concerns — taxes, safety, and opportunity. Those are universal motivators.”
Community Reaction: Voices of Support and Dissent
Inside the close-knit Dominican community of Passaic, Castillo’s political stance has sparked debate. Some longtime customers tease him about his Republican leanings, while others quietly agree with his reasoning. “At first, my friends called me crazy,” he said with a laugh. “Now they see how many people felt the same way but were afraid to say it.”
A few tables away, Maria Torres, a local teacher and lifelong Democrat, offered a contrasting view. “I understand his frustration, but we can’t forget the social programs that help families here,” she said. “We all want safety and jobs, but we also need compassion.”
This interplay of perspectives is emblematic of New Jersey’s vibrant civic culture, where personal experiences often shape political beliefs more strongly than party loyalty. Within such diversity, Castillo’s story becomes part of a broader narrative about integration, opportunity, and the evolving face of American politics.
Jack Ciattarelli and the Local GOP Push
Beyond the national scene, Castillo has turned his attention to state-level politics. He is now supporting Jack Ciattarelli, the Republican nominee for governor of New Jersey. Ciattarelli, who narrowly lost in 2021, has launched a renewed campaign emphasizing fiscal discipline, lower property taxes, and support for small businesses.
“Jack understands what we go through,” Castillo said, adding that Ciattarelli’s outreach to Latino communities has been more visible than in previous Republican campaigns. “He comes to our neighborhoods, he talks to us in person, not just on TV.”
Ciattarelli’s campaign has made notable inroads in ethnically diverse counties like Passaic and Hudson, focusing on pragmatic issues over ideology. Political observers say that if he can sustain that message, he stands to narrow the gap in traditionally blue territory.
Historical Context: From Democratic Strongholds to Battlegrounds
Passaic County has a long history of supporting Democratic candidates, largely due to its strong union presence and progressive urban centers. In the 20th century, waves of immigrants from Italy, Poland, and Ireland formed the backbone of the county’s Democratic coalition. By the 1990s and early 2000s, new waves of immigrants from Latin America, including the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Peru, continued that trend — identifying with Democratic values tied to social welfare and immigrants’ rights.
However, the past two decades brought gradual demographic and economic transformations. Rising home prices, struggles with inflation, and business regulation concerns led some entrepreneurs to question whether the policies they once supported still served their interests. This culminated in the surprising result of 2024, when Donald Trump’s message of economic patriotism and law enforcement resonated with voters who had traditionally aligned with Democrats.
Comparing Regional Trends: New Jersey and Beyond
New Jersey’s experience is part of a larger regional shift seen across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic states. In Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, large Hispanic populations have also shown increased Republican support, particularly among working-class voters. Likewise, parts of Connecticut and New York have recorded modest but steady GOP gains in Latino-heavy districts.
These changes do not suggest uniform partisan loyalty, but rather a diversification of political perspectives within the Latino community. Experts argue that both parties are now competing more actively for Hispanic voters than at any point in recent memory — a dynamic that will likely shape electoral outcomes well into the 2030s.
Looking Ahead: A Growing Republican Presence
As for Castillo, his focus is on the future. He hopes to see continued enforcement of business-friendly policies, infrastructure improvements, and a climate of personal accountability. “All I want is a chance to keep building for my family and my employees,” he said. “Politics matter when they touch real life.”
His perspective, shared by a growing number of Latino entrepreneurs, underscores the complexity of America’s evolving political map. In New Jersey, a state long considered safely blue, the rise of figures like Angel Castillo signals that allegiance can no longer be taken for granted.
Whether this transformation will endure remains uncertain. But for Passaic County — now a county that voted Republican in 2024 for the first time in generations — the story of one Dominican restaurant owner reflects a larger awakening, one that could redefine New Jersey politics for years to come.