Thread: Sotelo says 36th District run puts state first

Sotelo says 36th District run puts state first


By MALENA WARD Hub Regional Correspondent
LEXINGTON — A Lexington man launched his campaign for the Nebraska Legislature Saturday at Madeline’s Café in Lexington.
Luis Sotelo is a graduate of Lexington High School who attended Northwestern University and graduated in 2011 with a bachelor of arts degree in communication studies and political science with a certificate in leadership.
During a speech before a crowd of Democratic supporters, family members and friends, Sotelo said he is living the American dream and that he wants the vision set by the country’s founders to stay alive.

“I have an unwavering desire to leave places better than I found them,” Sotelo said.

Sotelo is running to represent District 36. He would replace term-limited state Sen. John Wightman. The other announced candidate is Gothenburg banker Matt Williams, a Republican.

Sotelo was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and lived in a small farming community a few hours south of the U.S. border until age 5, when he came to the United States. He said he is a product of the Reagan administration amnesty, which allowed him to attain U.S. citizenship.

He works as a college-planning specialist with EducationQuest Foundation to improve Nebraska students’ access to higher education.

Sotelo said he doesn’t claim to have a silver bullet.

“I want to admit I don’t have all the answers,” he said. “This will always be a work in progress where you and I are at the drawing board.”

Sotelo said he wants to be a catalyst for engaging Nebraskans to reach a shared potential in a climate where anyone who works hard can succeed.

He said his campaign will focus on three key areas: excellent education, economic opportunities and engaged communities.

“I’m making a commitment to you of putting Nebraska before my campaign and others over self,” Sotelo said.

Sotelo said youth mentor Patricia Sanchez-Stewart of Lexington planted the civic engagement bug in him when she took him to a hear Laura Bush speak during a conference on how to engage people in communities and the political process.

Since then, Sotelo has served on numerous community committees, campaigned to pass a school bond issue, encouraged people to register to vote and moderated political forums. He has attended regional, national and international meetings to discuss how to build communities and been a regular speaker and panelist at Nebraska Department of Education sponsored conferences.

In 2006, as a junior in high school, Sotelo founded the Miss Voz Latina Nebraska Leadership Program to train and inspire Latina high school students to undertake leadership roles in their community and achieve academic excellence. To date, the organization has helped more than 50 youths, awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships, and started community-led initiatives in areas such as health, environment and education.

For his efforts, Sotelo was recipient of a Kearney Hub Freedom Award in Education in 2011.

email to:

jessica.kokesh@kearneyhub.com

http://www.kearneyhub.com/news/local...a4bcf887a.html

Notice that this kid is a product of the Reagan amnasty. I heard him speak when he was in high school and part of it was on immigration. Wish I could remember what he said but I do remember neither my spouse or I clapped after his speech. Also when he spoke there was only a very small amount of clapping compared to the others that had given speeches that day. In fact I can remember being outraged at the things he said. It is unlike me not to clap or be proud of any high school kid that can get up and perform but this guy is(was) an exception.

Sotelo lost big time in the election!

3,579 for Matt Williams and only 682 for Luis!!!