Washington, D.C. – Latino Victory Fund announced the endorsement of Tony Vargas for Nebraska State Senator. Vargas made history in the 2016 election by becoming the first Latino elected to the Nebraska Legislature.
“Senator Vargas has spent his first term in the Nebraska State Legislature fighting for economic justice, equity in education, and health care access among many issues,” said Nathalie Rayes, Latino Victory Fund President & CEO. “He’s a staunch supporter of Nebraska’s working families and is leading efforts to help vulnerable communities in his district. State legislatures need more Latino voices who will fight for our community and ensure that opportunities are open to everyone. Latino Victory Fund is proud to endorse Senator Vargas.”
Meet Senator Tony Vargas:
Senator Tony Vargas has devoted his career to public service and advocacy. Latino Victory Fund endorsed Vargas when he first ran for state senator in the Nebraska Legislature in 2016. He made history by becoming the first Latino elected to the Nebraska Legislature and began his first term on January 4, 2017.
Prior to his election to the legislature, he served an appointed term of three years to the Omaha Public Schools. As both a school board member and a legislator Vargas has been a tireless advocate for closing the achievement gap, addressing systemic inequities, and increasing parent and community engagement. Since his election to the Nebraska Legislature, he has successfully passed legislation on a variety of issues, including equity in education, encouraging technology and innovation, juvenile justice, reforming predatory lending practices, improving consumer protection, and health care access.
Vargas is the son of Peruvian immigrants who worked in manufacturing – his father, Antonio, a machinist, and his mother, Lidia, an assembly line worker in a factory. Living paycheck-to-paycheck as a young Latino family in New York City shaped his perspectives on jobs, education, and opportunity. Because of these experiences, Vargas has always stood up for working families and fought to protect the American Dream.
