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Beyond Marco Rubio: five Latino politicians you should know Beyond Marco Rubio: five Latino politicians you should know
(3 months later)
When you hear the words "Latino politician", who do you think of? I suspect the first (and perhaps even the only) person who comes to mind is Marco Rubio, the Republican senator from Florida.When you hear the words "Latino politician", who do you think of? I suspect the first (and perhaps even the only) person who comes to mind is Marco Rubio, the Republican senator from Florida.
Who can forget Rubio's response to the president's state of the union address in February? The nervous (and apparently parched) Rubio awkwardly took a swig from his diminutive water bottle. This became one of the most memorable moments of his career. The incident went viral in minutes. Social media sites exploded. All of my liberal friends and colleagues took the opportunity to mock him, too. I couldn't help but jump on the bandwagon myself.Who can forget Rubio's response to the president's state of the union address in February? The nervous (and apparently parched) Rubio awkwardly took a swig from his diminutive water bottle. This became one of the most memorable moments of his career. The incident went viral in minutes. Social media sites exploded. All of my liberal friends and colleagues took the opportunity to mock him, too. I couldn't help but jump on the bandwagon myself.
What the whole water-bottle incident did, however, was distract from the issues. Rubio, like it or not, became an even bigger household name. I suppose he had the last laugh. He made out like a bandit when his joke water bottle sales raised him $125,000.What the whole water-bottle incident did, however, was distract from the issues. Rubio, like it or not, became an even bigger household name. I suppose he had the last laugh. He made out like a bandit when his joke water bottle sales raised him $125,000.
The problem for Latinos in the US is that we are a large and diverse population. Rubio hardly speaks for all of us, yes very few American Latino politicians are known nationally, let alone internationally. And Latina women politicians? Forget it. Thanks to the media, our diversity is virtually unknown in other parts of the world. The whole Rubio ordeal reminded me that Latinos are rarely recognized for anything of substance. When was the last time a Latino went viral for doing a good deed? I suspect never, although I would welcome being proven wrong.The problem for Latinos in the US is that we are a large and diverse population. Rubio hardly speaks for all of us, yes very few American Latino politicians are known nationally, let alone internationally. And Latina women politicians? Forget it. Thanks to the media, our diversity is virtually unknown in other parts of the world. The whole Rubio ordeal reminded me that Latinos are rarely recognized for anything of substance. When was the last time a Latino went viral for doing a good deed? I suspect never, although I would welcome being proven wrong.
There are so many Latino politicians doing important work. Even if I radically disagree with their politics, I think the world needs to see the vast spectrum of their ideologies and accomplishments. This list is a very small, but important start.There are so many Latino politicians doing important work. Even if I radically disagree with their politics, I think the world needs to see the vast spectrum of their ideologies and accomplishments. This list is a very small, but important start.
1. Senator Leticia Van de Putte, member of the Texas Senate (Democrat)1. Senator Leticia Van de Putte, member of the Texas Senate (Democrat)
While Senator Wendy Davis rightfully received praise last week for her marathon filibuster of the controversial abortion bill that would force many Texas abortion clinics to close, there was another Democratic lawmaker calling out her male colleagues for silencing the legislature's female representatives. "Did the president hear me or did the president hear me and refuse to recognize me?" Van de Putte asked defiantly in an effort to be recognized on the senator floor by the president of the body. "At what point must a female senator raise her hand or her voice to be recognized over her male colleagues?"While Senator Wendy Davis rightfully received praise last week for her marathon filibuster of the controversial abortion bill that would force many Texas abortion clinics to close, there was another Democratic lawmaker calling out her male colleagues for silencing the legislature's female representatives. "Did the president hear me or did the president hear me and refuse to recognize me?" Van de Putte asked defiantly in an effort to be recognized on the senator floor by the president of the body. "At what point must a female senator raise her hand or her voice to be recognized over her male colleagues?"
Van de Putte is also a strong advocate for veterans, education, and the economic development of San Antonio. In addition to many honours and awards, the senator has represented Texas Senate District 26 since 1999, has served as the chair of the Texas Senate Democratic Caucus, and has been a practicing pharmacist since 1980. The list goes on and on. I'll be waiting for the "stand With Leticia" T-shirts. Feel free to send me one through the mail.Van de Putte is also a strong advocate for veterans, education, and the economic development of San Antonio. In addition to many honours and awards, the senator has represented Texas Senate District 26 since 1999, has served as the chair of the Texas Senate Democratic Caucus, and has been a practicing pharmacist since 1980. The list goes on and on. I'll be waiting for the "stand With Leticia" T-shirts. Feel free to send me one through the mail.
2. Julián Castro, Mayor of San Antonio (Democrat)2. Julián Castro, Mayor of San Antonio (Democrat)
The 38-year-old San Antonio native, Mayor Julián Castro is the youngest mayor of a top 50 American city. Like many Latinos in the United States, Castro comes from humble beginnings. In the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention, Castro told the story of his grandmother Victoria, an orphan who moved to San Antonio as a young girl and dropped out of school after the fourth grade. He also paid tribute to his mother, who was present in the arena, saying that "she fought hard for civil rights so that instead of a mop, I could hold this microphone". (As a daughter of working class Mexican immigrants, I was particularly moved by this image.) The narrative resonated with many second and third generation Latinos, and the speech automatically launched Castro into a brighter national spotlight. Soon after, many began calling him the "Latino Obama" and a "Latino Messiah".The 38-year-old San Antonio native, Mayor Julián Castro is the youngest mayor of a top 50 American city. Like many Latinos in the United States, Castro comes from humble beginnings. In the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention, Castro told the story of his grandmother Victoria, an orphan who moved to San Antonio as a young girl and dropped out of school after the fourth grade. He also paid tribute to his mother, who was present in the arena, saying that "she fought hard for civil rights so that instead of a mop, I could hold this microphone". (As a daughter of working class Mexican immigrants, I was particularly moved by this image.) The narrative resonated with many second and third generation Latinos, and the speech automatically launched Castro into a brighter national spotlight. Soon after, many began calling him the "Latino Obama" and a "Latino Messiah".
Castro's popularity continues to grow. A new poll surveying Latino voters (pdf) shows that Castro as vice president would help attract even more Latino voters to the Democratic party. Among the 1,200 respondents, 32% said Castro as vice president would make them much more likely to vote Democrat. If this is really the case, the Republican party will really have to hustle to attract Latinos. In the last election, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney received a mere 27% of the Latino vote.Castro's popularity continues to grow. A new poll surveying Latino voters (pdf) shows that Castro as vice president would help attract even more Latino voters to the Democratic party. Among the 1,200 respondents, 32% said Castro as vice president would make them much more likely to vote Democrat. If this is really the case, the Republican party will really have to hustle to attract Latinos. In the last election, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney received a mere 27% of the Latino vote.
3. US Senator Ted Cruz (Republican from Texas)3. US Senator Ted Cruz (Republican from Texas)
Though many critics believe the Tea Party senator from Texas is not being "Latino enough", Cruz does make an effort to play up his Cuban origins. According to his website, Cruz's father fled the Cuban revolution and arrived Texas in 1957 without any money or able to speak a word of English. He washed dishes for 50 cents an hour, paid his way through the University of Texas, and started a small business in the oil and gas industry. Despite the familiar story, many still need to be convinced that he has the interests of the Latino community at heart.Though many critics believe the Tea Party senator from Texas is not being "Latino enough", Cruz does make an effort to play up his Cuban origins. According to his website, Cruz's father fled the Cuban revolution and arrived Texas in 1957 without any money or able to speak a word of English. He washed dishes for 50 cents an hour, paid his way through the University of Texas, and started a small business in the oil and gas industry. Despite the familiar story, many still need to be convinced that he has the interests of the Latino community at heart.
Cruz, who many consider "the Republican Barack Obama" and the the new voice of the GOP, is very upfront about his very conservative fiscal and social views, including privatizing Social Security, reducing the size of government, restricting access to abortion and opposing both gun legislation and a path to immigration, just to name a few. Though the election caused some Republicans to become more mainstream on some issues, Cruz has remained unwavering in his beliefs.Cruz, who many consider "the Republican Barack Obama" and the the new voice of the GOP, is very upfront about his very conservative fiscal and social views, including privatizing Social Security, reducing the size of government, restricting access to abortion and opposing both gun legislation and a path to immigration, just to name a few. Though the election caused some Republicans to become more mainstream on some issues, Cruz has remained unwavering in his beliefs.
In May, Cruz caused controversy when he headlined a big fundraiser thrown by the New York Republican party in the heart of Manhattan. The event at the Grand Hyatt Hotel was met with a crowd protesting everything from his stance on immigration and gun control to his vote against Hurricane Sandy relief. His conservatives views will undoubtedly alienate Latino voters, but what many can appreciate is his honesty and unyielding beliefs. No will be tricked because what you see is what you get.In May, Cruz caused controversy when he headlined a big fundraiser thrown by the New York Republican party in the heart of Manhattan. The event at the Grand Hyatt Hotel was met with a crowd protesting everything from his stance on immigration and gun control to his vote against Hurricane Sandy relief. His conservatives views will undoubtedly alienate Latino voters, but what many can appreciate is his honesty and unyielding beliefs. No will be tricked because what you see is what you get.
4. US Representative Michelle Lujan Grisham (Democrat from New Mexico)4. US Representative Michelle Lujan Grisham (Democrat from New Mexico)
Lujan Grisham, a Democrat serving New Mexico's first district in Congress, became passionate about health after she saw her parents accumulate large amount of medical bills during her sister's long-term illness. Even decades after her sister's death, Lujan Grisham's parents were still paying off the debt. Since then, she has dedicated her life to improving access to affordable health care.Lujan Grisham, a Democrat serving New Mexico's first district in Congress, became passionate about health after she saw her parents accumulate large amount of medical bills during her sister's long-term illness. Even decades after her sister's death, Lujan Grisham's parents were still paying off the debt. Since then, she has dedicated her life to improving access to affordable health care.
Like Van de Putte, Lujan Grisham is committed to women and children. As New Mexico's former Department of Health Secretary, Lujan Grisham increased childhood immunization rates, access to school-based health centres, and women's reproductive health funding, which reduced teen pregnancies. Lujan Grisham strongly favours the Medicaid expansion outlined in the Affordable Care Act and has made health care a top priority in her tenure in Congress. These are opportunities for me to make a real, continued difference in the lives of the families not only in my district but across the country,she said in an interview earlier this year. I think many Americans, particularly women, are counting on the congresswoman to continue fighting Republican efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act.Like Van de Putte, Lujan Grisham is committed to women and children. As New Mexico's former Department of Health Secretary, Lujan Grisham increased childhood immunization rates, access to school-based health centres, and women's reproductive health funding, which reduced teen pregnancies. Lujan Grisham strongly favours the Medicaid expansion outlined in the Affordable Care Act and has made health care a top priority in her tenure in Congress. These are opportunities for me to make a real, continued difference in the lives of the families not only in my district but across the country,she said in an interview earlier this year. I think many Americans, particularly women, are counting on the congresswoman to continue fighting Republican efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
5. US Representative Raúl Labrador (Republican from Idaho)5. US Representative Raúl Labrador (Republican from Idaho)
The US Representative for Idaho's 1st congressional district is another politician proud of his story of attaining the American Dream. According to his personal biography, Raul was born in Puerto Rico and was the only child of a single mother who often struggled to make ends meet.The US Representative for Idaho's 1st congressional district is another politician proud of his story of attaining the American Dream. According to his personal biography, Raul was born in Puerto Rico and was the only child of a single mother who often struggled to make ends meet.
After earned his law degree, Labrador and his wife settled in Utah where he became an immigration attorney whose practice represented undocumented Latinos. Immigration is now a major component of his political career. What makes Labrador stand out is his stance on immigration and the fact that he's a devout Mormon. The congressman has become the spokesperson against what many would assume he would support: Latinos and religious Republicans are politically the most supportive of comprehensive immigration reform, but Labrador walked out of House negotiations in June "citing too many differences. He said in a statement:After earned his law degree, Labrador and his wife settled in Utah where he became an immigration attorney whose practice represented undocumented Latinos. Immigration is now a major component of his political career. What makes Labrador stand out is his stance on immigration and the fact that he's a devout Mormon. The congressman has become the spokesperson against what many would assume he would support: Latinos and religious Republicans are politically the most supportive of comprehensive immigration reform, but Labrador walked out of House negotiations in June "citing too many differences. He said in a statement:
"While I will no longer be part of the bipartisan 'Group of Eight' House negotiators, I will not abandon my efforts to modernize our broken immigration system by securing our borders and creating a workable guest worker program.""While I will no longer be part of the bipartisan 'Group of Eight' House negotiators, I will not abandon my efforts to modernize our broken immigration system by securing our borders and creating a workable guest worker program."
Considered by many as a rising star of the GOP, the Latino representative is anti-tax, anti-abortion, and anti-amnesty for undocumented immigrants. Labrador wants tighter border security, including the use of National Guard troops. He also prefers that undocumented immigrants be forced to return to their countries and apply for entry to the US as guest workers or through other lawful means.Considered by many as a rising star of the GOP, the Latino representative is anti-tax, anti-abortion, and anti-amnesty for undocumented immigrants. Labrador wants tighter border security, including the use of National Guard troops. He also prefers that undocumented immigrants be forced to return to their countries and apply for entry to the US as guest workers or through other lawful means.
These five Latino politicians are having a growing impact in their states and at the federal level. They represent the wide range of Latino political activism. Keep an eye on them. They are contenders for higher posts.These five Latino politicians are having a growing impact in their states and at the federal level. They represent the wide range of Latino political activism. Keep an eye on them. They are contenders for higher posts.
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