Editorial: Calling for a Latino vice president
If a Latino were to run for vice president, many Latino voters would feel compelled to support him or her.
Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are selecting their running mate, the person who will run for vice president of the United States.
On the Republican side, the name will be known soon: Pence, Christie, Gingrich or a surprise candidate.
On the Democratic side, there is talk of at least three Hispanics potentially being considered as Clinton’s running mates: Congressman Xavier Becerra, who has represented Downtown Los Angeles in the House since 1993; Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro; and Labor Secretary Tom Perez. Others being mentioned are Congressman Joaquín Castro; former Energy Secretary and former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson; former San Antonio Mayor and former Housing Secretary Henry Cisneros; and former Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.
So there’s no shortage of qualified candidates.
Potential Latino Republican candidates are Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval and New Mexico Governor Susana Martínez.
It’s time for a Latino vice president.
Naming a Latino as a running mate would confirm that the political elite recognizes the Hispanic community, more than a thousand declarations of appreciation.
If a Latino were to run for vice president, many Latino voters would feel compelled to support him or her.
This person would become a focal point and attract solidarity.
With a Hispanic vice presidential candidate, members of the community would feel fully integrated and part of a country that appreciates them.
The time has come for a Hispanic vice presidential candidate.
A frequent response to this call for action is that Latinos’ election preferences are known, and overwhelmingly favor Democrats.
However, according to a Florida Atlantic University poll, only 50% of Hispanics support Hillary Clinton.
One-quarter of this electorate is undecided.
If they don’t feel appreciated and welcome, many Latinos may abstain from voting, as they have before, strengthening the other side.
Swing states like Florida, Colorado and Arizona have significant numbers of Latinos.
The proportion of Latino voters is also growing every year in other key states, like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Iowa and Virginia.
A Latino vote there could be the winning vote.
Therefore, there are more than enough practical reasons. Hopefully, common sense and the political will to make a historic move will prevail.
