Thread: Democrats attract Hispanic candidates

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Democrats attract Hispanic candidates
BY LAURA KELLAMS ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE


As much as she hopes to win, Diana Gonzalez Worthen says one of the main goals of her 2006 legislative campaign is to set an example for the state’s growing Hispanic population and to encourage voter registration.

"As every good teacher will do, I’ll teach others," said Worthen of Springdale, a longtime educator who holds a doctorate in curriculum and instruction. "I’ll teach them about the entire process of running for office, and maybe there will be more coming to the table."

Officials in the Democratic Party of Arkansas hope the lesson Worthen teaches is a little more direct: that Hispanics are Democrats. Among the slate of Hispanic candidates in Arkansas to announce their intentions last month at the national convention of the League of United Latin American Citizens, all are Democrats.

Most of those candidates have announced they’re running for nonpartisan positions such as city council or school board. But Gabe Holmstrom of Little Rock, executive director of the Democratic Party of Arkansas, said there’s no doubt the group of candidates will raise the party’s profile among the state’s growing Hispanic community.

"It helps the party when Hispanics out there see other Hispanics who are running for office as Democrats. It gives them someone to identify with," Holmstrom said. He said state Democrats have made a concerted effort to build the party by recruiting Hispanics. He said that’s the reason the Democratic Hispanic Caucus started in 2002, joining other groups in the party, including those for blacks, young people and senior citizens.

Clint Reed of Greenbrier, executive director of the Republican Party of Arkansas, said Democrats aren’t likely to hold the monopoly on Hispanic candidates in 2006. He said Republicans are actively recruiting a "diverse range" of candidates including Hispanics. It’s too early in the election cycle to announce who they might be, he said.

"We’re pursuing men, women, African-Americans, Hispanics. We’re not limiting who we’re targeting," he said.

Rey Hernandez of Rogers, the Northwest Arkansas district director for LULAC, said Hispanics have been discouraged by certain members of the Republican Party and what he called "anti-Hispanic rhetoric."

Hernandez mentioned state Sens. Jim Holt of Springdale and Denny Altes of Fort Smith, both Republicans, whose failed legislation seeking to establish stricter controls on state benefits and voter registration had a stated aim of deterring illegal immigration.

"The Hispanic population clearly does not identify with them and the views they’re taking," Hernandez said.

But during discussion of Holt’s bill in a Senate committee, a Mexican immigrant couple from Rogers did speak in favor of it, saying that it’s preferable for the state to try to curb illegal immigration.

Republicans also pushed for legislation that the Hispanic community backed strongly, such as Gov. Mike Huckabee’s proposal to provide scholarships and in-state tuition rates for children of illegal immigrants. Huckabee is a Republican, and a Democrat, state Rep. Joyce Elliott of Little Rock, sponsored the legislation. The bill failed to pass the state Senate.

Hernandez said there doesn’t seem to be a big push in the Republican Party to reach out to Hispanic voters.

"I personally would like to see Hispanics represented in both parties and all political parties, but that’s just not the case now," Hernandez said.

Reed disagreed and referred questions about Hispanic representation in the party to Robert Trevino, a Republican who is a policy adviser to Huckabee. Trevino didn’t return telephone messages Friday.

Reed said the Republican Party is a "big tent" and that it is misleading to label anyone in it based on the views of certain members.
"We’re going to have different views, but at the end of the day, the Republican Party reflects the views and values of Hispanics â€â€

Hey, let's put a negative spin on this.

Hey Jose, what's your deal? You only post one liner short messages and many of them appear to be snide.

What's your position on the illegal immigration issue?

W

Hernandez mentioned state Sens. Jim Holt of Springdale and Denny Altes of Fort Smith, both Republicans, whose failed legislation seeking to establish stricter controls on state benefits and voter registration had a stated aim of deterring illegal immigration.

"The Hispanic population clearly does not identify with them and the views they’re taking," Hernandez said.

Since you asked for it Jose. The Hispanic community does not identify with their positions on illegal immigration. I know that it is not the entire Hispanic population, I am guessing it is just the illegal Hispanic population that cannot identify with their positions.

Okay, I get it, the Democrats are hoping Hispanics will play..."Follow the Leader". Give Hispanics more credit than that. There are many who are legally in this country who have Americanized and assimilated and who do not feel the need to play such games as, "Follow the Leader".

They can make up their own minds, Democrats AND Republicans, and the smartest of them all will see how both parties are trying to EXPLOIT them just for their vote. Promises, promises, promises.

If you ask me, this could and should be the era of the INDEPENDENT Party. If I were an immigrant to America, I would look to see which party WASN'T pandering to me, and making promises. I would hope to give my children a strong and free country, and I would look to the candidates who RECOGNIZE PROBLEMS, and DEAL WITH THEM, without having to say, "woopsey daisy...did I step on your toe!?" Look for the leaders who TAKE A STAND, based on FACTS and REALITY, NOT ON EMOTION.

Do you want to watch your leaders preform a Ballet Dance Recital for the world....or do you want leaders who will protect and defend the Constitution......which is why you came here, remember?!!

Welcome to America.......hold on to what brought you here in the first place....which can be lost in a flash.........if you put this country into the hands of ballerinas tiptoeing through the Rose Garden.

Everyone let me talk to Jose if he/she will answer. In another post Jose falsly states ALIPAC is a hate group.

I'm waiting on your answer Jose.

W