WASHINGTON, D.C.—Latino Victory Fund today announced the endorsement of Nevada State Senator Ruben Kihuen for Congress. If elected, Kihuen would be the first Hispanic elected to represent Nevada in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Ruben represents the future of Nevada leadership, and his public service record is living testimony that once elected to Congress, he will support issues that benefit the Latino community,” said César Blanco, Latino Victory interim director. “He has fought to improve the lives of his constituents every step of the way throughout his seasoned career in public service—including support for a minimum wage increase, college affordability and equal pay for equal work. We need more strong leaders in Congress who will speak up for our community, and Latino Victory is proud to stand with Ruben to ensure that he wins in November.”
Ruben Kihuen, candidate for Congressional District 4 in Nevada, said, “As an immigrant who was born in Mexico and came to this country in search of a better life, I’m incredibly grateful to the Latino Victory Fund for endorsing our campaign. In Congress, I will continue to fight for a stronger economy for all Nevadans by improving access to affordable education, raising the minimum wage, ensuring women get equal pay for equal work, and finally passing immigration reform. My opponent, Republican Congressman Cresent Hardy, is a reckless supporter of Donald Trump who couldn’t be more out of touch with the diverse district he’s supposed to represent in Washington. Whether it’s his disdain for Nevada’s public schools or his extreme votes to tear immigrant families apart, Latinos in the 4th District will have plenty of reasons to reject Congressman Hardy’s Tea Party record in November.”
Kihuen began his political career in 2007, when, after volunteering to elect Democrats, including U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, he stepped up to run for office and defeated a well-funded incumbent for a seat in the state assembly. After serving two terms in the assembly, Kihuen ran for the state senate, becoming one of the youngest senators in modern Nevada history. While in office, he created the Nevada Hispanic Legislative Caucus to ensure more Latino representation in the legislature. He also fought to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour, ensure equal pay for equal work and make college more affordable. Kihuen also sponsored and passed legislation to provide drivers licenses for undocumented workers and fully fund English Language Leaners programs.
Born in Mexico, Kihuen was the first Mexican immigrant elected in Nevada to any public office. Kihuen and his family immigrated to the United States in search of a better life. Learning his work ethic from his parents who worked as a field laborer and a maid, he worked to support his way through college. For 10 years, Kihuen gave back to others by working with fellow students at College of Southern Nevada to ensure they had paths to good careers.
