History-Making Latinas: Regina Romero, Hala Ayala and Elizabeth Guzman shine in the cadre of Latina elected officials rising during the Trump Era.
Washington, D.C. — On Election Day, Latino Victory Fund-endorsed candidates made history in Arizona and Virginia. In Virginia, the first Latinas elected to the chamber in 2017, Hala Ayala and Elizabeth Guzman, were re-elected in the newly-flipped Democratic House of Delegates. They played a critical role in helping Democrats flip the lower chamber. Alfonso Lopez, who was first elected in 2012 and serves as the Minority Whip, was re-elected to the House of Delegates. In Arizona, Regina Romero made history when she was elected mayor of Tucson, becoming the first Latina and the first woman elected to this position.
Here’s what they’re saying about these historic election results:
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Arizona Central: Tucson elects 1st female mayor
Romero was the clear favorite. She defeated former state Sen. Steve Farley in the Democratic primary over the summer. And she enjoyed the support and financial backing of prominent local Democrats and advocacy groups. -
The Huffington Post: ‘Historic’ Regina Romero Becomes First Latina Mayor of Tucson
“Councilwoman Regina Romero shattered one glass ceiling when she became the first Latina elected to the Tucson City Council, and now she’s broken yet another one by becoming Tucson’s first woman and first Latina mayor,” the group’s executive director Mayra Macías said in a statement.
Democratic presidential hopefuls Julián Casto and Elizabeth Warren also hailed Romero’s victory. “We need more Latinas to run, and win!” Castro wrote on Twitter. -
Daily Kos: Regina Romero makes history as first woman and first Latina to be elected Tucson mayor
Democrats racked up historic wins on Tuesday night that also stretched far beyond Virginia and Kentucky. In Tucson, Arizona, former city councilmember Regina Romero became the first woman and first Latina to be elected the city’s mayor. “At a time when our national politics have been sewn with division,” she said, “Tucsonans remain united by our shared desire to promote a safe, just, and sustainable city.” -
Remezcla: Regina Romero makes history as Tucson’s first-ever Latina mayor
[…] Romero was backed by several women and Latino organizations, including Planned Parenthood, Mi Familia Vota and Latino Victory Fund.
“Councilwoman Regina Romero shattered one glass ceiling when she became the first Latina elected to the Tucson City Council, and now she’s broken yet another one by becoming Tucson’s first woman and first Latina mayor,” Mayra Macías, executive director at Latino Victory Fund, said in a statement. “Her groundbreaking election is a testament of who she is as a leader and all the incredible things she’ll accomplish for the people of Tucson as their new mayor.” -
Telemundo Noticias: Regina Romero quiere ser la primera alcaldesa latina de Tucson y “limpiar la imagen” anti-inmigrante de Arizona
[…] Mayra Macías, directora ejecutiva del “Latino Victory Fund”, dijo a Noticias Telemundo que su grupo respalda a Romero porque su campaña ha sido una de ensueño.
Romero “rompió el techo de cristal cuando fue electa como la primer latina en el concejo de Tucson, y ahora va a romper otro”, si gana la alcaldía, dijo Macías. “Su elección es monumental para los latinos y las latinas en todo el país… Arizona es un estado clave por su creciente electorado latino, y el tener a Regina como alcaldesa de la segunda ciudad más grande del estado ayudará a los esfuerzos demócratas para galvanizar a este importante electorado en 2020”, subrayó.
El grupo lleva años apoyando a candidatos y movilizando a votantes latinos, consciente de que, según datos oficiales, en 2020 serán el principal bloque minoritario en las urnas.
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Univision: Ambientalista y proinmigrante: la plataforma con la que Regina Romero se convirtió en la primera alcaldesa latina de Tucson La nueva alcaldesa recibió el apoyo de la mayoría de los legisladores demócratas que representan a Arizona en el Congreso federal, particularmente Raúl Grijalva, reconocido como un líder progresista, así como de la activista Dolores Huerta. Organizaciones como Emily’s List, Democracy for America y Latino Victory Fund, también respaldaron la campaña de Romero. “Su elección es un testimonio de quién es ella como líder y de todas las cosas increíbles que logrará para la gente de Tucson como su nuevo alcalde. Con 2020 a la vuelta de la esquina y Arizona convirtiéndose en un estado columpio, su voz y liderazgo serán críticos para la victoria de los demócratas el próximo noviembre”, aseguró la directora ejecutiva de Latino Victory Fund Mayra Macías.
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Vox: Women candidates helped flip the Virginia legislature. It could be a lesson for 2020.
The 2017 election was a historic one for Virginia in many ways: in addition to electing the first openly trans lawmaker, Danica Roem, voters also chose the first Latina delegates, Elizabeth Guzman and Hala Ayala, and the first female Asian American delegate, Kathy Tran.
