{"id":2319310,"date":"2024-08-05T09:48:59","date_gmt":"2024-08-05T13:48:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/latino-candidates-have-growing-influence-in-washington-state-politics-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-08-05T09:51:20","modified_gmt":"2024-08-05T13:51:20","slug":"latino-candidates-have-growing-influence-in-washington-state-politics-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/latino-candidates-have-growing-influence-in-washington-state-politics-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Latino candidates have growing influence in Washington state politics &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Flatino-candidates-have-growing-influence-in-washington-state-politics-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2319310&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The growing influence of Latino\u2063 candidates in Washington state politics has been\u2063 notable in recent years, particularly \u2063since Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self&#8217;s election to the Legislature\u2064 in 2014. She\u2064 has since \u2062become \u200cthe chair of the first Latino Caucus, formed in 2023. The Center for Latino Leadership aims\u200c to increase conservative representation in the Legislature, with a focus on candidates like Sen. Nikki\u200d Torres and Rep. Alex Ybarra, both from the\u200c Republican side. Ybarra \u2063is currently running unopposed for his seat in the 13th Legislative District. <\/p>\n<p>Additionally, several other Latino \u200bRepublican candidates are seeking legislative roles, including Maia Espinoza, \u200bwho is challenging the incumbent Sen. \u2064T\u2019Wina Nobles in Pierce County. \u2062Espinoza \u2064founded the Center for\u2064 Latino\u2062 Leadership, which seeks \u200bto advocate for\u200d Latino interests\u2062 across the political spectrum. <\/p>\n<p>Torres, a Latina leader with a background in business, has recently transitioned to the 16th Legislative District due to redistricting. She actively supports candidates like\u2063 Gloria Mendoza \u2064and Debra Manjarrez, \u2063who also \u200bcome from business and agricultural backgrounds, showcasing a new generation of \u2062Latino leadership in Washington \u2064state politics.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Latino candidates have growing influence in Washington state politics<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1722157\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &ndash; Latino influence in Washington state politics has been gradually building in the decade since Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self, D-Mukilteo, joined the Legislature in 2014. Ortiz-Self is the chair of the first Latino Caucus, formed in 2023 by 11 House and Senate Democrats.<\/p>\n<p>In 2025, the Center for Latino Leadership hopes to add conservative members to the Legislature to join Sen. Nikki Torres, R-Pasco, and Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy. Ybarra is currently running unopposed for the 13th Legislative District seat he has held since 2019.<\/p>\n<p>At least six other Republican candidates with Latino heritage in their personal biographies have also filed for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/report-aoc-was-not-inside-capitol-building-during-breach-on-jan-6\/\" title=\"Report: AOC Was Not Inside Capitol Building During Breach On Jan. 6\">legislative office<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>One of them is Maia Espinoza, who is challenging incumbent Sen. T&rsquo;wina Nobles in Pierce County&rsquo;s 28th Legislative District. Espinoza founded the Center for Latino Leadership in 2014 as an informal group seeking to break through stereotypes about Washington&rsquo;s politically diverse Hispanic community.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We still appeal to Latino leaders who consider themselves Democrats, but we&rsquo;ve been particularly successful in getting Latino Republicans elected,&rdquo; said Espinoza, citing Ybarra, Torres, and candidates for city, county and municipal positions across the state from Seattle to eastern Washington. &ldquo;We appeal to a lot of business owners who believe in the American dream.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Torres is one of those Latina leaders who comes from the business community. She was elected in the 15th Legislative District in 2022, but is now in the 16th Legislative District following redistricting after a federal judge redrew the state&rsquo;s legislative map earlier this year. State law allows Torres to complete her term, which ends in 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Torres is supporting Gloria Mendoza and Debra Manjarrez in the House races in her old district.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Gloria was mayor of Grandview and has a similar background to myself, grew up in agriculture, first-generation Latina. Both are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/cuomo-to-partially-reopen-indoor-dining-in-nyc-for-valentines-day-if-positivity-rates-hold\/\" title=\"Cuomo To Partially Reopen Indoor Dining In NYC For Valentine\u2019s Day, \u2018If Positivity Rates Hold\u2019\">small business owners<\/a>,&rdquo; Torres said. &ldquo;Gloria also still has teenagers in high school. Debra owns a CPA firm and farms with her husband, who is Latino. Both are very professional and care about the community, with their business background both will be successful in Olympia. They&rsquo;re <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nrsc-chair-sen-rick-scott-pledges-to-help-murkowski-against-trump-endorsed-challenger\/\" title=\"NRSC Chair Sen. Rick Scott Pledges to Help Murkowski Against Trump-Endorsed Challenger\">great candidates<\/a>.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Mendoza is running for 14th Legislative District Position 1 along with Republican Andy Kallinen, a park ranger from Klickitat County, and Democrat Chelsea Dimas, a Democratic activist.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to Manjarrez, 14th Legislative District Position 2 candidates include Democrat Ana Ruiz Kennedy, a Pasco School volunteer, and Eddie Perez, who indicates &ldquo;No Party Preference&rdquo; and describes himself as a blue-collar worker who has been in the same job for 30 years.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Statewide races also drew Hispanic candidates this year. Republican Dr. Raul Garcia, an emergency room physician from Yakima who immigrated from Cuba as a child, is facing incumbent Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell in the race for U.S. Senate.<\/p>\n<p>In the three-person primary for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/good-news-three-of-ten-pro-impeachment-republicans-including-liz-cheney-already-have-primary-opponents\/\" title=\"Good News! Three of Ten Pro-Impeachment Republicans Including Liz Cheney ALREADY Have Primary Opponents\">open seat<\/a> of Commissioner of Public Lands, former Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler is competing with fellow Republicans Sue Kuehl Pederson and Democrats Allen Lebovitz, Dave Upthegrove, Patrick DePoe and Jeralee Anderson.<\/p>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1722157\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1722157\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Latino candidates are increasingly impacting politics in Washington state, as highlighted by The Center Square. Since Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self, D-Mukilteo, entered the Legislature in 2014, Latino representation has steadily grown. Ortiz-Self leads the inaugural Latino Caucus established in 2023 with 11 Democratic members from both the House and Senate. The Center for Latino Leadership aims to include conservative voices in the Legislature by 2025, alongside Sen. Nikki Torres, R-Pasco, and Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy\u2014who is currently running unopposed for his seat since 2019. Additionally, at least six other Republican candidates of Latino descent have filed for legislative positions; one notable candidate is Maia Espinoza who is contesting incumbent Sen. T\u2019wina Nobles in Pierce County\u2019s 28th Legislative District. Espinoza founded the Center for Latino Leadership in 2014 to challenge stereotypes about Washington&#8217;s diverse Hispanic community and noted their success with electing Latino Republicans like Ybarra and Torres while still appealing to Democratic leaders within the community.<\/p>\n<p>Torres represents a Latina leader from a business background; she was elected from the 15th Legislative District in 2022 but now serves in the newly drawn 16th Legislative District due to redistricting mandated by a federal judge earlier this year\u2014allowing her term to continue until its conclusion in 2026. She supports Gloria Mendoza and Debra Manjarrez as candidates for House races within her former district; both share similar backgrounds as small business owners with ties to agriculture.<\/p>\n<p>Mendoza is running for Position 1 of the 14th Legislative District against Republican Andy Kallinen and Democrat Chelsea Dimas while Manjarrez competes alongside Democrat Ana Ruiz Kennedy and Eddie Perez\u2014who identifies as having &#8220;No Party Preference.&#8221; This election cycle has also seen Hispanic candidates enter statewide races: Republican Dr. Raul Garcia\u2014a Cuban immigrant and emergency room physician\u2014is challenging incumbent Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell for a U.S Senate seat while former Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler contends with fellow Republicans Sue Kuehl Pederson along with Democrats Allen Lebovitz, Dave Upthegrove, Patrick DePoe, and Jeralee Anderson for an open Commissioner of Public Lands position<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2319311,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/arizona-voting-election-2024.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[37195,37192,37194,37193],"class_list":["post-2319310","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-diversity-in-politics","tag-latino-candidates","tag-political-influence","tag-washington-state-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/arizona-voting-election-2024.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2319310","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2319310"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2319310\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2319311"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2319310"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2319310"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2319310"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}