Washington, D.C. — Latino Victory Fund announced the endorsement of 13 down-ballot candidates in Pennsylvania, New York, Florida, New Mexico, and North Carolina.
In addition to heavy Latino states like Florida and New York, New Mexico, Latino Victory is also targeting emerging Latino states Pennsylvania and North Carolina in an early effort to establish a presence in the Latino voter population ahead of the 2020 general election.
Latino Victory Fund president & CEO Nathalie Rayes issued the following statement:
“Down-ballot races are key mobilizers for Latino voters, and we are proud to endorse this stellar lineup of Democratic Latino and Latina candidates. We’re heading into a high-stakes election that requires an unprecedented mobilization for Latinos, and inspiring candidates like our down-ballot slate will help energize our communities to vote. Latino Victory is thrilled to welcome these top-notch candidates to our team and will work arduously to ensure that Latino representation increases in state-level governments across the country.”
Meet the Latino Victory Fund Down-Ballot Candidate Slate:
Florida
Alex Barrio, House of Representatives, District 43
State Rep. Javier Fernandez, State Senate, District 39
Ricky Junquera, House of Representatives, District 118
State Rep. Cindy Polo, House of Representatives, District 103
State Sen. José Javier Rodríguez, State Senate, District 37
New York
Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz, New York State Assembly, District 39
- Catalina Cruz became the first former DREAMer elected to the New York State
Assembly in 2018. She is up for re-election in 2020.
Jessica González-Rojas, New York State Assembly, District 34
- Jessica González-Rojas is a first-time candidate, and she would be the first Latina elected to represent District 34.
Jon Rivera, New York State Assembly, District 149
- Jon Rivera would be the first Latino elected to represent District 149 if elected.
New Mexico
Neomi Martinez-Parra, State Senate, District 35
- Neomi would be the first Latina to represent New Mexico State Senate District 35 if elected.
North Carolina
Ricky Hurtado, State House, District 63
- Ricky Hurtado would be the first Latino elected to the North Carolina State House.
Pennsylvania
Danilo Burgos, State House of Representatives, District 197
- Danilo Burgos is a first-generation Hispanic American and the first Dominican elected to the Pennsylvania House.
Andre Del Valle, State House of Representatives, District 175
- Andre Del Valle would be the first Latino in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives representing District 175 if elected. He would also be the youngest member in the State House.
Manny Guzman, State House of Representatives, District 127
- If elected, Manny Guzman would be the first Latino to represent House District 127.
ABOUT LATINO VICTORY FUND
The Latino Victory Fund is a progressive political organization working to grow Latino political power by increasing Latino representation at every level of government. From school boards to the U.S. Senate, to the White House, Latino Victory identifies, recruits, and develops candidates for public office while building a permanent base of Latino donors to support them.
