LATINO CANDIDATES VIE FOR TOP OFFICES IN THREE-QUARTERS OF STATES


For Immediate Release October 28, 2008	Contact: Rosalind Gold (213) 747-7606, ext. 4420 rgold@naleo.org Eric Wagner (213) 747-7606, ext. 4427 ewagner@naleo.org

LATINO CANDIDATES VIE FOR TOP OFFICES IN THREE-QUARTERS OF STATES
LOS ANGELES, CA -– Reflecting the political maturity of Latino communities throughout our country, Latino candidates are competing in 37 states for the nation’s top federal and state offices, according to the NALEO 2008 Election Profile [click here] released today by the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund. The Profile presents an analysis of all Latino candidates running for Congress, statewide office, and state legislative seats in the November general election. “Latinos are demonstrating that they can successfully pursue seats in Congress and state houses across the country – the places where important decisions are made about the policies that affect the lives of all Americans,” said Arturo Vargas, NALEO Educational Fund Executive Director. “Latinos are poised to transform the political landscape in every region of the nation – from the Plains States, to New England, to the Midwest and America’s ‘heartland.’” According to the NALEO Educational Fund’s analysis, in 1998, Latinos were running for federal and state office in just over half of the nation’s states (26). In Election 2008, that number has grown to 37, an increase of 42%. In addition, the NALEO 2008 Election Profile projects that: Latinos are likely to gain an additional seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, as New Mexico Public Regulation Commissioner Ben R. Lujan has excellent prospects of winning his race in the 3rd Congressional District. If victorious, Lujan would be New Mexico’s first Latino U.S. Representative since Governor Bill Richardson (D), whose tenure in Congress ended a decade ago. Wyoming will gain its first Latino State Senator, as State Representative Floyd Esquibel (D) is running unopposed in District 8. Kansas may also gain its first Latino in the State Senate if educator Shala Perez (D) prevails in her District 28 contest. In Massachusetts, community activist Sonia Chang-Diaz is running an extremely competitive race in the Second Suffolk District. If victorious, she would be the first Latina in the Massachusetts State Senate, and the second Latino to have ever served in that legislative body. Nationwide, the total number of Latinos in State Senates will likely increase by seven, from 61 to 68. Latinos are likely to reach a new political milestone in Oklahoma’s State House of Representatives, which could gain its first Latino member. Two Oklahoma Latinos are running competitive races for State Representative seats – Oklahoma City School Board member David Castillo (D) and small business owner Charles Ortega (R). Nationwide, there could be a very modest decrease in the total number of Latinos in state lower houses, from 190 to 187. This is due in part to the departure of Latino State Representatives who are seeking higher office, and at least four sitting State Representatives have excellent prospects of winning seats in their State Senates. Analysis of the potential lower State House gains also reveals the political progress of Latino candidates in states with emerging Latino communities. In the nine states with traditional Latino population concentrations (Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Texas), the Profile projects a net loss of five seats. However, in the other states, the Profile’s data indicate a net gain of two seats. “Latinos in states with emerging communities have laid an important foundation for their efforts to achieve full political empowerment,” said Mr. Vargas. “In the traditional centers of Latino population, our progress at the state level may be starting to slow. If we want to ensure that our progress does not erode, our community must continue to vigorously pursue opportunities for full participation and representation in every region of the nation.” In addition, the Profile includes a state-by-state description of the key federal and state legislative races involving Latino candidates (an analysis of the growing number of Latinos running for local offices, such as county, municipal and school board seats is beyond the scope of the Profile). “Latino candidates are proving that they can attract votes from and govern diverse constituencies, beyond the Latino community,” concluded Mr. Vargas. “They are eager to demonstrate their commitment to our democratic process by showing they can lead and serve all Americans.”
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About NALEO Educational Fund The NALEO Educational Fund is the nation's leading non-partisan, non-profit organization that facilitates the full participation of Latinos in the American political process, from citizenship to public service.
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LOS ANGELES, CA -– Reflecting the political maturity of Latino communities throughout our country, Latino candidates are competing in 37 states for the nation’s top federal and state offices, according to the NALEO 2008 Election Profile [click here] released today by the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund. The Profile presents an analysis of all Latino candidates running for Congress, statewide office, and state legislative seats in the November general election.

“Latinos are demonstrating that they can successfully pursue seats in Congress and state houses across the country – the places where important decisions are made about the policies that affect the lives of all Americans,” said Arturo Vargas, NALEO Educational Fund Executive Director. “Latinos are poised to transform the political landscape in every region of the nation – from the Plains States, to New England, to the Midwest and America’s ‘heartland.’”

According to the NALEO Educational Fund’s analysis, in 1998, Latinos were running for federal and state office in just over half of the nation’s states (26). In Election 2008, that number has grown to 37, an increase of 42%.

In addition, the NALEO 2008 Election Profile projects that:

Latinos are likely to gain an additional seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, as New Mexico Public Regulation Commissioner Ben R. Lujan has excellent prospects of winning his race in the 3rd Congressional District. If victorious, Lujan would be New Mexico’s first Latino U.S. Representative since Governor Bill Richardson (D), whose tenure in Congress ended a decade ago.
Wyoming will gain its first Latino State Senator, as State Representative Floyd Esquibel (D) is running unopposed in District 8. Kansas may also gain its first Latino in the State Senate if educator Shala Perez (D) prevails in her District 28 contest. In Massachusetts, community activist Sonia Chang-Diaz is running an extremely competitive race in the Second Suffolk District. If victorious, she would be the first Latina in the Massachusetts State Senate, and the second Latino to have ever served in that legislative body. Nationwide, the total number of Latinos in State Senates will likely increase by seven, from 61 to 68.
Latinos are likely to reach a new political milestone in Oklahoma’s State House of Representatives, which could gain its first Latino member. Two Oklahoma Latinos are running competitive races for State Representative seats – Oklahoma City School Board member David Castillo (D) and small business owner Charles Ortega (R). Nationwide, there could be a very modest decrease in the total number of Latinos in state lower houses, from 190 to 187. This is due in part to the departure of Latino State Representatives who are seeking higher office, and at least four sitting State Representatives have excellent prospects of winning seats in their State Senates.

Analysis of the potential lower State House gains also reveals the political progress of Latino candidates in states with emerging Latino communities. In the nine states with traditional Latino population concentrations (Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Texas), the Profile projects a net loss of five seats. However, in the other states, the Profile’s data indicate a net gain of two seats. “Latinos in states with emerging communities have laid an important foundation for their efforts to achieve full political empowerment,” said Mr. Vargas. “In the traditional centers of Latino population, our progress at the state level may be starting to slow. If we want to ensure that our progress does not erode, our community must continue to vigorously pursue opportunities for full participation and representation in every region of the nation.”

In addition, the Profile includes a state-by-state description of the key federal and state legislative races involving Latino candidates (an analysis of the growing number of Latinos running for local offices, such as county, municipal and school board seats is beyond the scope of the Profile).

“Latino candidates are proving that they can attract votes from and govern diverse constituencies, beyond the Latino community,” concluded Mr. Vargas. “They are eager to demonstrate their commitment to our democratic process by showing they can lead and serve all Americans.”