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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
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