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As Election 2008 approaches, both presidential campaigns are looking to expand their support among Latinos, the nation’s second largest and fastest growing population group. With a projected 9.2 million Latino voters expected to cast their ballot in November, Latino voters are playing a pivotal role in our nation’s elections, and candidates and parties now recognize this fact. They are actively pursuing Latino support and in order for their efforts to succeed, they must fully engage the Latino electorate.

Latino voters will help determine the outcome of this Presidential election, particularly because there are significant Latino populations in the states which are the key “battlegrounds” for Electoral College votes. Table 1 sets forth the NALEO Educational Fund’s projection of the Latino vote in key states, the Latino share of all Registered voters, the margin of victory for the Presidential contest in 2004 and the number of electoral college votes each State holds.

Table 1

Voter outreach to Latinos has taken on a prominent role in both campaigns, with Latinas holding important positions as part of the effort. Two Latinas are now hard at work, bringing the messages of their respective candidates to the Latino community.
 

Stephanie Valencia, deputy director of the Latino Vote Program, Obama for America Stephanie Valencia grew up in Las Cruces, New Mexico and was introduced early to politics by her father. “My father was active in local politics from when I was 5 years old, serving as the only Latino on the City Council.” This experience led to politics being “in her blood”. At the age of six, she went on a trip to Washington D.C., which even furthered her desire to work in politics and at 16 she served as a Congressional page. After graduating from Boston College in 2004, Valencia was a Congressional Hispanic Caucus Fellow in the U.S. Senate, and then moved on to her first job on Capitol Hill, where she worked prior to joining Obama for America. Choosing to support Senator Obama was a difficult decision for Valencia, given her hometown ties to Governor Bill Richardson and her interest in supporting the candidacy of a woman, Senator Hillary Clinton. But after listening to Senator Obama’s speech in 2004 at the Democratic National Convention, Valencia felt a sense of awareness for the future. She began to help the campaign the day Senator Obama announced his candidacy after work and on weekends, and officially joined the campaign full-time a few months ago.

As the deputy director of the Latino Vote Program, Valencia strives to bring Senator Obama’s message to the four key states of New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada and Florida as well as other emerging Latino states such as Ohio, Georgia, Virginia and Wisconsin. In a recent Hispanic Camp Obama in New Mexico over 100 participants learned about community organizing from experts in the field, building a new generation of Democratic Party activists and laying the foundation for future civic empowerment in those communities.

When asked how Senator Obama will assist Latinos if elected, Valencia cites his record for standing by the Latino community during his work on the South Side of Chicago, supporting the marches for immigration reform and continuing the fight for issues important to Latinos and all Americans. These issues include comprehensive immigration reform, as well as access to education, healthcare, and decent wages. She believes Senator Obama knows and understands the issues most important to Latino voters.
For those Latinas looking to become involved in politics, Valencia suggests finding a mentor, “particularly as women of color we have to work extra hard to prove ourselves, and as we move forward we must bring people behind us.” Through her work, it is clear she plans on doing all she can to help other Latinas become politically active and engaged.

Ana V. Navarro, co-chair of John McCain’s National Hispanic Advisory Council As a child, Ana Navarro emigrated with her family to the United States from Nicaragua. As a result of this experience, she developed a deep commitment to political involvement and she considers being an engaged citizen a right and a duty. Her father was a “freedom fighter” in their native country and as a child she would follow American legislation regarding Nicaragua. Her first political experience came through volunteer work. She then took positions with both Congressmen Lincoln Diaz-Balart’s campaign and Jeb Bush during his 1998 run for Governor of Florida. Through her business activities she met Senator McCain several years ago. Her decision to support the Senator was relatively easy given their long standing friendship. Prior to him announcing his candidacy, every time she would see him, she would remind him “If and when you decide to run, I’m with you.” She kept her word and joined the campaign in 2008. Even prior to personally knowing Senator McCain, Navarro has admired him for his personal history, and leadership on immigration reform.

Currently, Navarro provides strategic advising to the McCain campaign on issues relating to Hispanics. This often includes speaking on behalf of the Senator in both Spanish and English, as well giving input on speeches and attending Hispanic events with the Senator.

When asked why Senator McCain will benefit Latinos if elected, Navarro believes that “John McCain is a better candidate across all groups, because of his ability to build bi-partisan coalitions.” She goes on to speak about his ability to “craft creative solutions, something he has done his entire political life for the past 25 years.” According to Navarro, Senator McCain believes in growing small-businesses through low taxes and promotion, and this is a particular area where Latinas are growing by leaps and bounds. If elected, Senator McCain will also focus on education, supporting and working to improve the No Child Left Behind Act. Navarro also mentioned McCain’s support of school choice, through the expansion of charter schools, giving Latina mothers and Latino fathers the choice all American children should have available to them.