Gabriel R. Sanchez, Ph.D., is a senior fellow in Governance Studies at Brookings. Sanchez is a professor of political science and the Founding Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Endowed Chair in Health Policy at the University of New Mexico. He is also the director of the UNM Center for Social Policy, and a founding member of the UNM Native American Budget and Policy Institute. Sanchez is also the vice president of research at BSP Research, a leading survey firm focused on the Latino electorate. A leading expert on Latino and New Mexico politics and policy, he regularly provides political commentary to several state, national, and international media outlets including the New York Times, CNN, Los Angeles Times, and the Economist. Sanchez is a nationally recognized expert in survey research and the utilization of rigorous research to inform public policy decisions at the federal, state, and local levels.
Sanchez is leading several research projects focused on the impact of COVID-19 on the Latino and Native American communities, including multiple surveys of parents aimed at understanding the experiences of parents regarding distance learning and their attitudes toward the transition back to in-person education. Sanchez has also directed several research projects for clients interested in developing strategies to engage Latino voters and promote civic engagement. Along with BSP’s co-founder Matt Barreto, Sanchez has written several expert witness reports utilized in voter ID and voting rights cases across the country.
Sanchez received his Ph.D. in political science from the University of Arizona. His academic research explores the relationship between racial/ethnic identity and political engagement, Latino health politics and policy, and minority legislative behavior. Sanchez has published more than fifty scholarly research articles, chapters and books focused on minority public opinion, electoral behavior and racial and ethnic politics in the United States. He is the co-author of the recent book “Latinos and the 2016 Election: Latino Resistance and the Election of Donald Trump“, and co-author of the forthcoming textbook (with John A. Garcia) “Latino Politics in America: Community, Culture, and Interests”.
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Areas of Expertise
- Latino Politics and Policy
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Current Positions
- Professor of Political Science and Founding Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Endowed Chair in Health Policy; The University of New Mexico
- Director; The University of New Mexico Center for Social Policy
- Founding Member; The University of New Mexico Native American Budget and Policy Institute
- Vice President of Research, BSP Research
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Past Positions
- David M. Rubenstein Fellow, Governance Studies
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Education
- Ph.D. in Political Science; The University of Arizona