Latinos Surge but May Not Win Equal Political Clout

[Judi Lynn]

Source: New York Times

Latinos Surge but May Not Win Equal Political Clout
By MONICA DAVEY
Published: July 14, 2011

LAS VEGAS — The population of Latinos has exploded here, and they want their voices heard not just in the halls of schools like Clark High or on the growing number of Spanish-language radio stations, but also with a louder voice in Congress.

The swelling ranks of Latinos here are a big reason Nevada will win a new seat in Washington. And so, as part of the once-a-decade redistricting process, leaders here are sketching out a new Congressional district that would give Latino neighborhoods more sway over their representative in Washington.

But that simple goal is turning out to be anything but. The efforts are complicated by the many different ways people interpret laws governing redistricting. Politicians are also using the redistricting battles to advance their own agendas — ones that often have nothing to do with the Latino population.

Now, Nevada’s new Congressional map is in the hands of a judge, who on Tuesday announced plans to appoint a panel of special masters to tackle the matter, after party leaders here clashed over vexing questions.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/15/us/15redistrict.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

[Palmer Eldritch]

1. Soon they'll outnumber Teabaggers in Arizona, Nevada, Texas, and the list goes on...

The GOP signed its death certificate the day it decided to mistreat Hispanics.

[slackmaster]

2. I have found that relying on assumptions about Hispanic voters going one way or another can be risky

We're talking about a diverse group of people with a wide range of opinions on various subjects.

I'm close with a family that immigrated from Mexico in the mid 1950s. Their children, clustered around my age, were all born in the USA. They have a family business, a successful restaurant that's been thriving in the same location since 1984.

The family has hosted dozens of immigrants who have become naturalized citizens. Most of them have worked at the restaurant, or work there now, for two generations. The restaurant is closed on Sundays because most of the employees are church-going Catholics.

The present manager is a staunch Republican. He's a good friend. We disagree on some things, agree on some, and get along fine. His ex-wife is a strong Obama supporter. She's married to a man who used to tend bar at the restaurant. He's working for a prominent local Democratic politician.

The beat goes on.