WASHINGTON – Today, Latino Victory Fund announced its endorsements of Juan Marcano for Aurora mayor, Justin Martinez and Roberta Ayala for Thornton City Council, and Paloma Delgadillo for Broomfield City Council.
Latino Victory Fund Executive Director Sindy Benavides released the following statement:
“Latino Victory Fund is proud to endorse these trailblazing Latino candidates running for office in Colorado. Juan Marcano, Justin Martinez, Roberta Ayala, and Paloma Delgadillo are leaders in their communities and will grow the progressive Latino bench in the state. Throughout their individual careers, they have shown their strengths and commitment to advocating for issues important to the Latino community. These candidates have what it takes to inspire and energize Latino voters. Latino Victory Fund is excited to offer our support to this cohort of candidates who will work to uphold progressive values and build Latino political power in Colorado.”
More About the Candidates
Juan Marcano for Aurora Mayor
- Juan is the son of Puerto Rican migrants and has represented Ward IV on the Aurora City Council since 2019. He holds the record for responsiveness to constituent concerns with more than 600 council requests submitted in less than four years.
- In 2020, Juan sponsored a resolution calling on Colorado’s state and federal governments to help its residents and businesses weather the storm which was passed unanimously by the city council. He also coordinated with local health care providers to create community clinics that enabled thousands of the most vulnerable residents to get vaccinated as quickly as possible.
- Juan has championed affordable housing development through policy and rezoning. He passed an ordinance to end short-term rentals in Aurora to prioritize the residents who need housing.
You can learn more about Juan Marcano’s campaign here.
Justin Martinez for Thornton City Council Ward 1
- Justin began his service on the Adams County Planning Commission in 2019, which has prepared him to make thoughtful and equitable city planning decisions on the city council. He worked with staff in the creation of the 2022 Advancing Adams Comprehensive plan.
- He also served as Treasurer and Vice Chair of the Adams County Democrats from 2019 to 2023. Here, Justin helped Colorado Latinos get elected by serving as an officer for the Adams County Democratic Latino Initiative.
- Justin began his career in the public sector as an economist for the Denver Regional Council of Governments where he worked with local city governments including Thornton.
You can learn more about Justin Martinez’s campaign here.
Roberta Ayala for Thornton City Council Ward 2
- Roberta has worked in education for more than two decades and represented workers in organized labor. As a working mother, she understands the struggles of working families.
- She currently serves as President of The Thornton Arts, Sciences, and Humanities Council (TASHCO) where she has worked to create positive cultural experiences in Thornton.
- Roberta became an integral part of the Historical Preservation Advisory Group for the city of Thornton and has shown a profound passion for preserving the city’s history. She is also a member of the Thornton Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association where she has gained valuable insights into the workings of the police department and its role in serving and protecting the community.
You can learn more about Roberta Ayala’s campaign here
Paloma Delgadillo for Broomfield City Council Ward 2
- While in office, Paloma has been attentive to Broomfield staff’s efforts to monitor the operations of nearby oil and gas sites such as the Livingston Pad. She has been a champion of her community’s efforts to improve waste diversion and keep more items out of the landfill. She has supported universal recycling and improving accessibility to composting.
- Paloma is a dedicated advocate for housing that respects and acknowledges diverse income levels. She has supported the efforts of the Broomfield Housing Alliance and of developers who include income-aligned housing in their projects.
- On council, Paloma has supported Broomfield Pride, income-aligned housing, and DDEI (development, diversity, equity, and inclusion) efforts. Paloma has advocated for initiatives to ensure these facilities remain vibrant places where the community can gather.
You can learn more about Paloma Delgadillo’s campaign here
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The Latino Victory Fund is a progressive political action committee with the mission of growing Latino political power by increasing Latino representation at every level of government – from the school board to the Senate to the White House.
