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Hispanic and Latino conservatism in the United States


Hispanic and Latino conservatism in the United States


Latino Americans make up an increasing share of the United States (U.S.) electorate. A record 29 million Latinos were eligible to vote in the 2018 midterm elections, accounting for 12.8% of all eligible voters, a new high. They made up an estimated 11% of all voters nationwide on Election Day, nearly matching their share of the U.S. eligible voter population (U.S. citizens ages 18 and older).

Opinion pieces that have appeared in magazines and websites such as FiveThirtyEight and The Atlantic have frequently argued that there is no such thing as a "Latino vote", as Hispanics do not tend to vote in a singular bloc. Factors such as age, sex, religion, ethnicity, and immigration status can all significantly influence voting factors among Hispanics and Latinos.

History

The U.S. Census indicates that the Latino population of the U.S. is the fastest growing minority group in the country. More than 12.8% of eligible voters nationwide are Latino.

20th century

Prior to the 1950's, Hispanic political affiliation swayed back and forth between the two major parties. From the American Civil War to the Great Depression, the majority of American Hispanics, as well as the majority of African-Americans, were Republicans. However, following the Great Depression, more Hispanics began to side with the Democratic party, due to Franklin D. Roosevelt and his New Deal agenda. Many Hispanics were distrustful of Herbert Hoover and the Republican party, who they viewed as responsible for the economic crash.

American Hispanics first began to widely support a Republican candidate, Dwight D. Eisenhower, during the 1952 U.S. presidential election. Hispanic World War II veterans were drawn to support Eisenhower due to his service in the war, as well as the belief that he would be able to end the Korean war. Other non-veteran Hispanic voters were drawn to Eisenhower, due to his promotion of hard work, freedom, prosperity, and religious spirituality. Hispanic conservatives created groups such as "Latinos con Eisenhower" and pinned political buttons on their shirts stating "Me Gusta Ike".

In 1980, Republican Ben Fernandez became the first Hispanic to ever run for President of the United States. Over the next decade, Ronald Reagan viewed Latino social values as closely related to conservative values, as both tended to place an emphasis on religious faith, family, and hard work. Additionally, both groups tended to maintain a strong opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage. Reagan often stated that "Hispanics are conservative. They just don’t know it.”

21st century

In the 2018 midterm elections, three out of four Latino voters supported a Democratic candidate. However, Republicans enjoy strong support among Cuban-American and Venezuelan-American voters, as well as among Latino voters in Florida and Texas. Mexican-Americans, Puerto Ricans, Salvadoran-Americans, Guatemalan-Americans, and Dominican-Americans tend to support the Democratic Party. As the latter groups are far more numerous (Mexican-Americans make up 64% of the Latino population in the United States), the Democratic Party typically receives the majority of the Latino vote.

Although Latinos as a whole, tend to support Democratic candidates, the Democratic Party has lost ground among their voting population since its high-water mark in 2012.

In 2004, according to research by the Thomás Rivera Policy Institute, 58% of Latino voters self-identified as a Democrat, while 22% identified as a Republican and 19% as an Independent.

In 2006, 69% of Latino voters supported Democratic candidates in congressional races, while 30% supported Republican candidates.

In 2008, 67% of Latinos voted for then-Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, while 31% of Latinos voted for then-Republican presidential nominee John McCain.

During the 2010 midterm elections, 31% of eligible Latino voters turned out to vote. 60% of Latinos supported Democratic candidates, while 38% supported Republican candidates.

A 2012 study by the Center for Immigration Studies projected that in November 2012 Latinos would comprise 17.2% of the total U.S. population, 15% of adults, 11.2% of adult citizens, and 8.9% of voters. By comparison, the report found that in 2012, non-Latino whites are expected to be 73.4% of the national vote and non-Latino blacks are expected to be 12.2%. The report noted that by weight, "eight percentage points of the Latino vote nationally equals slightly less than one percentage point of the non-Latino white vote." The study also compared the 8.9% Latino share of voters to veterans (12% of the electorate), those with family incomes above $100,000 (18%), seniors 65 and older (19%), married persons (60%), and those who live in owner-occupied housing (80%).

In terms of voter turnout, the Center for Immigration Studies projected that 52.7% (±0.6) of eligible Latinos would vote in the 2012 election, an increase from 49.9% in 2008 and a continuation of the past decade's long upward trend. The projected Latino voter participation rate of 52.7% compares to 66.1% for non-Latino whites and 65.2% for non-Latino blacks in 2008.

In 2012, 70% of Latino voters identified with, or leaned toward, the Democratic Party, while 20% of Latino voters identified with, or leaned toward, the Republican Party.

In 2014, Latinos cast 6.8 million ballots out of 25 million eligible voters, for a voter turnout rate of 27%.

During the 2016 presidential election, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump was supported by 57% of Cuban-American voters in Florida, while Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton received 40% of the vote.

In 2018, 29.1 million Latinos were eligible to vote. 62% of Latino voters identified with, or leaned toward, the Democratic Party, whereas 27% of Latino voters identified with, or leaned toward, the Republican Party. Latino voters who primarily spoke English were more likely to support Republican candidates (33%), compared to voters who only spoke Spanish (15%). In Florida, 66% of Cuban-Americans supported Republican gubernatorial nominee Ron DeSantis, while only 33% supported Democrat gubernatorial nominee Andrew Gillum, a 2 to 1 ratio for Republicans.

According to a 2019 Gallup Poll, 29% of Latinos identify as conservative, and that same number, 29%, voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 Presidential Election.

In the 2022 U.S. House Elections, 39% of Hispanic voters backed Republican candidates and 60% backed Democratic candidates. This marks a decline for Democrats from the 2020 election, where Biden won roughly 65% of Hispanic voters to Trump's 33%.

Elections

Key issues

In an October 2010 Pew Hispanic Center report, Latinos ranked education, jobs, and health care as their top three issues of concern, while immigration ranked as the fourth most important issue.

In 2020, the economy, health care, and the COVID-19 pandemic were reported to be the top three most important issues for Latino voters.

Economy

In 2022, economic issues remain the primary concern for Hispanic voters. In a Wall Street Journal poll, Hispanic men stated that Republicans possessed better economic policy, by a margin of 17 points, while Hispanic women stated that Democrats had better economic policy, by a 10-point margin.

Gun Control

According to a 2022 Pew Research Center poll, 54% of Hispanic Republicans and conservative-leaning independents find it more important to protect gun ownership rights than to control gun ownership. In comparison, 83% of non-Hispanic Republicans hold the same belief.

Gender-neutral terminology

The use of the gender-neutral term "Latinx" is highly unpopular among Hispanic and Latino voters, with over 90% disliking the term. The term has been used by prominent Democrat politicians such as Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez; who have been widely mocked by many Republicans, Hispanics, and Latinos for its use.

A 2021 poll found that 30% of Hispanic voters are less likely to vote for a politician who uses the term "Latinx". 68% of Hispanic voters prefer the term "Hispanic", while 21% of voters prefer the term "Latino". By comparison, only 2% of Hispanic voters embrace the term "Latinx". Furthermore, 40% of American Hispanics state that the term "Latinx" bothers or offends them.

Immigration

Hispanic voters who are immigrants or the children of immigrants are more likely to vote for the Democratic Party, while Hispanic voters whose ancestors have lived in the United States for multiple generations are more likely to be split or vote for the Republican Party.

The Hispanic vote is sometimes associated with immigration issues such as immigration reform, immigration enforcement, and amnesty for undocumented immigrants. However, immigration could be an issue no more important than unemployment or the economy for many Hispanic American citizens.

Timeline of events

This is a timeline of significant events in Latino history which have shaped the conservative movement in the United States.

1860s
  • 1863 – Romualdo Pacheco elected as California State Treasurer
    • Francisco Perea (New Mexico Territory) elected to U.S. Congress (non voting delegate)
  • 1865 – José Francisco Chaves (New Mexico Territory) elected to U.S. Congress (non voting delegate)
1870s
  • 1871 – Romualdo Pacheco elected as Lieutenant Governor of California
  • 1875 – Romualdo Pacheco appointed as Governor of California
  • 1877 – Romualdo Pacheco (CA) elected to U.S. Congress and Trinidad Romero (New Mexico Territory) elected to U.S. Congress (non voting delegate)
  • 1879 – Mariano S. Otero (New Mexico Territory) elected to U.S. Congress (non voting delegate)
1880s
  • 1881 – Tranquilino Luna (New Mexico Territory) elected to U.S. Congress (non voting delegate)
1890s
  • 1897 – Miguel Antonio Otero elected as Governor of New Mexico Territory
  • 1899 – Pedro Perea (New Mexico Territory) elected to U.S. Congress (non voting delegate)
1900s
  • 1901 – Federico Degetau elected to U.S. Congress (1st Resident commissioner of Puerto Rico)
  • 1905 – Tulio Larrínaga elected to U.S. Congress (1st Resident commissioner of Puerto Rico)
1910s
  • 1911 – Luis Muñoz Rivera elected to U.S. Congress (1st Resident commissioner of Puerto Rico)
  • 1917 – Félix Córdova Dávila (Resident commissioner of Puerto Rico) and Benigno C. Hernández (NM) elected to U.S. Congress
  • 1919 – Octaviano Ambrosio Larrazolo elected as Governor of New Mexico
1920s
  • 1921 – Néstor Montoya (NM) elected to U.S. Congress
  • 1928 – Octaviano Ambrosio Larrazolo elected as United States senator from New Mexico
1960s
  • 1967 – Ben Fernandez creates the Republican National Hispanic Assembly
  • 1969 – Luis A. Ferré elected as Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
    • Jorge Luis Córdova (Resident commissioner of Puerto Rico) and Manuel Lujan, Jr. (NM) elected to U.S. Congress
1970s
  • 1971 – President Richard M. Nixon appoints Romana Acosta Bañuelos as Treasurer of the United States
  • 1973 – President Richard M. Nixon appoints Ben Fernandez as Ambassador to Paraguay
  • 1977 – Baltasar Corrada del Río elected to U.S. Congress (Resident commissioner of Puerto Rico)
  • 1979 – Mike Curb elected as lieutenant governor of California
1980s
  • 1981 – President Ronald Reagan appoints John Gavin as United States Ambassador to Mexico
  • 1983 – President Ronald Reagan appoints Katherine D. Ortega as Treasurer of the United States
    • Barbara Vucanovich (NV) is elected to U.S. Congress
      • Patricia Dillon Cafferata is elected Nevada State Treasurer
  • 1985 – President Ronald Reagan appoints Linda Chavez as Assistant to the President for Public Liaison
  • 1987 – Bob Martinez elected as Governor of Florida
  • 1989 – President George H. W. Bush appoints Manuel Lujan, Jr. as United States Secretary of the Interior
    • Ileana Ros–Lehtinen (FL) is elected to U.S. Congress
1990s
  • 1990 – President George H. W. Bush appoints Vice Admiral Dr. Antonia Novello as Surgeon General of the United States
  • 1991 – President George H. W. Bush appoints Bob Martínez as Director of the National Drug Control Policy
  • 1993 – Henry Bonilla (TX) and Lincoln Díaz–Balart (FL) elected to U.S. Congress
  • 1995 – Tony Garza appointed Texas Secretary of State
  • 1997 – John E. Sununu (NH) is elected to U.S. Congress
    • Alberto Gonzales appointed Texas Secretary of State
  • 1999 – Alberto Gonzales elected as Associate justice of the Texas Supreme Court
2000s
  • 2000 – Matthew G. Martinez (CA) Democratic Congressman joins GOP
  • 2001 – President George W. Bush appoints the following:
    • Hector Barreto as Administrator of the Small Business Administration
    • Rosario Marin as Treasurer of the United States
    • Mel Martínez as United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
    • Alberto Gonzales as White House Counsel
    • Elsa Murano as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety
    • Leslie Sanchez as executive director, White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans
    • Cari M. Dominguez as chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
    • Major General William A. Navas, Jr. as Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs)
    • Michael Montelongo as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Financial Management & Comptroller)
    • Alberto J. Mora as General Counsel of the Navy
    • Michael L. Dominguez as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Manpower & Reserve Affairs)
    • Dionel M. Aviles as Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management and Comptroller)
    • Israel Hernandez as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for International Trade and Promotion
    • Douglas Domenech as Deputy Director of the Office of External and Intergovernmental Affairs in the United States Department of the Interior
    • Colonel Dr. Jacob Lozada as Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs
    • Ruben Barrales as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs in the White House
    • Leslie Sanchez as Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans
      • Jaime Molera is appointed Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction
  • 2002 – President George W. Bush appoints the following:
    • Tony Garza as United States Ambassador to Mexico
    • Michael J. Garcia as commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service
  • 2003 – President George W. Bush appoints the following:
    • Roger Noriega as Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs
    • Rear Admiral Dr. Cristina V. Beato as United States Assistant Secretary for Health
    • Colonel Dr. Jacob Lozada as Human Resource Agency's Special Advisor to the Director of OPM for Diversity Strategy
    • Alex Acosta as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights
      • Mario Díaz–Balart (FL) elected to U.S. Congress
        • Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott appoints Ted Cruz as Solicitor General of Texas
          • Brian Sandoval elected as Attorney General of Nevada
            • John E. Sununu elected as United States senator from New Hampshire
  • 2004 – President George W. Bush appoints Dionel M. Aviles as Under Secretary of the Navy
  • 2005 – President George W. Bush appoints the following:
    • Alberto Gonzales as United States Attorney General
    • Carlos Gutierrez as United States Secretary of Commerce
    • Anna Escobedo Cabral as Treasurer of the United States
    • Michael L. Dominguez as acting United States Secretary of the Air Force
    • Emilio T. Gonzalez as Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
    • Israel Hernandez as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for International Trade and Promotion and Director–General of the United States Commercial Service
    • Alfonso Martinez–Fonts Jr. as Assistant Secretary for the Private Sector Office at the United States Department of Homeland Security
    • Juan Zarate as Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Combating Terrorism
    • Raymond P. Martinez as Deputy Chief of Protocol of the United States
    • Eduardo Aguirre as United States Ambassador to Spain
      • Mel Martínez elected as United States senator from Florida
        • Luis Fortuño elected to U.S. Congress (Resident commissioner of Puerto Rico)
  • 2006 – President George W. Bush appoints the following:
    • Hugo Teufel III as Chief Privacy Officer, Department of Homeland Security
    • Lisette M. Mondello as Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs in the Department of Veterans Affairs
    • Nancy Montanez Johner as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services
    • Frank Jimenez as General Counsel of the Navy
  • 2007 – President George W. Bush appoints Christopher A. Padilla as Under Secretary for International Trade
  • 2008 – President George W. Bush appoints Admiral Joxel García as United States Assistant Secretary for Health
    • Esperanza Andrade appointed Texas Secretary of State
  • 2009 – Luis Fortuño elected as Governor of Puerto Rico
2010s
  • 2010 – Abel Maldonado appointed lieutenant governor of California
  • 2011 – Marco Rubio elected as United States senator from Florida
    • Quico Canseco (TX), Bill Flores (TX), Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA), Raúl Labrador (ID) and David Rivera (FL) elected to U.S. Congress
      • Susana Martinez elected as Governor of New Mexico and Brian Sandoval elected as Governor of Nevada
        • John Sanchez elected as lieutenant governor of New Mexico
  • 2013 – Ted Cruz elected as United States senator from Texas
    • Ron DeSantis (FL) elected to U.S. Congress
      • Sean Reyes appointed Utah Attorney General
  • 2014 – Carlos López–Cantera appointed as lieutenant governor of Florida
    • Carlos Curbelo (FL) & Alex Mooney (WV) elected to U.S. Congress
      • Evelyn Sanguinetti elected as lieutenant governor of Illinois
        • George P. Bush elected as commissioner of the Texas General Land Office
  • 2015 – Carlos Cascos appointed as Texas Secretary of State
    • Joe Baca, former Democratic U.S. representative for California joins GOP
  • 2016 – Jenniffer González elected as resident commissioner of Puerto Rico and Brian Mast (FL) elected to U.S. Congress
  • 2017 – President Donald Trump appoints the following:
    • Alexander Acosta as United States Secretary of Labor
    • Helen Aguirre Ferré as White House Director of Media Affairs
    • Jovita Carranza as Treasurer of the United States
    • Anna Maria Farias as Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
    • Douglas Domenech as Assistant United States Secretary of the Interior for Insular Affairs
    • Mercedes Schlapp as White House Director of Strategic Communications
    • José A. Viana as Director of the Office of English Language Acquisition
    • Carlos Trujillo as United States Ambassador to the Organization of American States
    • Chris Garcia as Director of the Minority Business Development Agency
    • Jennifer S. Korn as Deputy Director of the Office of Public Liaison
    • Brian Quintenz as Member of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
      • Rolando Pablos appointed as Texas Secretary of State
        • Dave Lopez appointed as Secretary of State of Oklahoma
  • 2018 – President Donald Trump appoints the following:
    • Edward C. Prado – United States Ambassador to Argentina
    • Raymond P. Martinez as Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
    • James E Campos as Director of the Office of Minority Economic Impact
      • Anthony Gonzalez (OH) elected to U.S. Congress
  • 2019 – Jeanette Nuñez elected as lieutenant governor of Florida
    • Ruth R. Hughs appointed as Texas Secretary of State
      • Lea Márquez Peterson appointed as a member of the Arizona Corporation Commission
  • 2020 – Mike Garcia (CA), Carlos A. Giménez (FL), Tony Gonzales (TX), Nicole Malliotakis (NY), and Maria Elvira Salazar (FL) are elected to U.S. Congress
  • 2021 – Jason Miyares elected as Attorney General of Virginia
  • 2022 – Mayra Flores (TX), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR), Juan Ciscomani (AZ), Anthony D'Esposito (NY), Monica De La Cruz (TX), Anna Paulina Luna (FL), George Santos (NY) and James Moylan (GU) are elected to U.S. Congress
    • Raúl Labrador elected as Attorney General of Idaho
      • Diego Morales elected as Secretary of State of Indiana
        • Manny Díaz Jr. appointed as Education Commissioner of Florida
  • 2024 - Greg Lopez (CO) is election to U.S. Congress

Politicians

Alaska

  • Liz Vazquez – Alaska State representative (2015–2017)

Arizona

  • Steve Montenegro – Arizona State representative (2009–2017, 2023-present) and Arizona State senator (2017)
  • T. J. Shope – Arizona State representative (2013–2021) & Arizona State senator (2021–present)
  • Tony Rivero – Arizona State representative (2015–present)
  • Leo Biasiucci – Arizona State representative (2019–present)
  • Lupe Diaz – Arizona State representative (2021–present)
  • Teresa Martinez – Arizona State representative (2021–present)
  • Michele Pena - Arizona State representative (2023-present)
  • Austin Smith - Arizona State representative (2023-present)

Arkansas

  • Justin Gonzales – Arkansas State representative (2015–present)
  • Jim Sorvillo – Arkansas State representative (2015–present)

California

  • Fred Aguilar – California State Assemblyman (1992–1998)
  • Rod Pacheco – California State Assemblyman (1996–2002) and Riverside County District Attorney (2007–2011)
  • Bob Pacheco – California State Assemblyman (1998–2004)
  • Charlene Zettel – California State Assemblywoman (1998–2002)
  • Bonnie Garcia – California State Assemblywoman (2002–2008)
  • Rocky Chavez – California State Assemblyman (2012–2018)
  • Eric Linder – California State Assemblyman (2012–2016)
  • Melissa Melendez – California State Assemblywoman (2012–2020) and California State senator (2020–2022)
  • Heath Flora – California State Assemblyman (2016–present)
  • Dante Acosta – California State Assemblyman (2016–2018)
  • Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh – California State senator (2020–present)
  • Suzette Martinez Valladares – California State Assemblywoman (2020–2022)
  • Kate Sanchez – California State Assemblywoman (2022–present)
  • Juan Alanis - California State Assemblyman (2022–present)
  • Josh Hoover - California State Assemblyman (2022–present)
  • Kevin Lincoln - Mayor of Stockton (2021-present)

Colorado

  • Greg Lopez - U.S. Representative (2024-present)
  • Gabe Evans - Colorado State Representative (2023-present)
  • Andres Pico – Colorado State representative (2021–2023)
  • Dave Williams – Colorado State representative (2017–2023) and Chairman of the Colorado Republican Party
  • Philip Covarrubias – Colorado State representative (2017–2019)
  • Beth Martinez Humenik – Colorado State senator (2015–2019)
  • Clarice Navarro – Colorado State representative (2013–2017)
  • George Rivera – Colorado State senator (2013–2015)
  • Robert Ramirez – Colorado State representative (2011–2013)
  • Stella Garza–Hicks – Colorado State representative (2007–2009)
  • Lionel Rivera – mayors of Colorado Springs (2003–2011)

Connecticut

  • Aundre Bumgardner – Connecticut State representative (2015–2017)
  • Art Linares – Connecticut State senator (2013–2019)

Delaware

  • Ernesto Lopez – Delaware senator (2012–present)
  • Joseph Miró – Delaware State representative (1998–2018)

Florida

  • Humberto Cortina – Florida State representative (1982–1984)
  • Roberto Casas – Florida State representative (1982–1988) and Florida State senator (1988–2000)
  • Javier Souto – Florida State senator (1984–1992)
  • Luis C. Morse – Florida State representative (1984–1998)
  • Alberto Gutman – Florida State representative (1984–1992) and Florida State senator (1992–1998)
  • Arnhilda Gonzalez–Quevedo – Florida State representative (1984–1988)
  • Luis E. Rojas – Florida State representative (1988–1998)
  • Carlos L. Valdes – Florida State representative (1988–2000)
  • Nilo Juri – Florida State representative (1988–1993)
  • Miguel De Grandy – Florida State representative (1989–1994)
  • Gilda Oliveros – Mayor of Hialeh Gardens (1989–1994)
  • Carlos A. Manrique – Florida State representative (1992–1994)
  • Eladio Armesto–Garcia – Florida State representative (1992–1994)
  • Bruno Barreiro – Florida State representative (1992–1998)
  • Carlos A. Lacasa – Florida State representative (1994–2002)
  • Jorge Rodriguez-Chomat – Florida State representative (1994–1998)
  • Gustavo Barreiro – Florida State representative (1996–2008)
  • Gaston Cantens – Florida State representative (1996–2004)
  • Manuel Prieguez – Florida State representative (1998–2004)
  • Al Cardenas – chairman of the Republican Party of Florida (1999–2003)
  • Ralph Arza – Florida State representative (2000–2006)
  • Alex Diaz de la Portilla – Florida State senator (2000–2010)
  • Renier Díaz de la Portilla – Florida State representative (2000–2002)
  • René García – Florida State representative (2000–2010) and Florida State senator (2010–2018)
  • Rudy Garcia – Florida State senator (2000–2010)
  • Joe Negron – Florida State representative (2000–2006) and Florida State senator (2009–2018)
  • J. Alex Villalobos – Florida State senator (2001–2010)
  • Carl J. Domino – Florida State representative (2002–2010) and U.S. House nominee (2014)
  • Marcelo Llorente – Florida State representative (2002–2010)
  • Juan–Carlos Planas – Florida State representative (2002–2010)
  • John Quiñones – Florida State representative (2002–2007) and U.S. House Candidate (2012)
  • Juan C. Zapata – Florida State representative (2002–2010)
  • Michael Bileca – Florida State Representative (2002–2018)
  • Anitere Flores – Florida State representative (2004–2010) and Florida State senator (2010–2018)
  • Julio Robaina – mayor of Hialeah (2005–2011)
  • Eduardo González – Florida State representative (2006–2014)
  • Esteban Bovo – Florida State representative (2008–2010)
  • Erik Fresen – Florida State representative (2008–2016)
  • Tomás Regalado – mayor of Miami (2009–2017)
  • Fred Costello – Florida State representative (2010–2012 & 2014–2016) and U.S. House Candidate (2012)
  • Frank Artiles – Florida State representative (2010–2016) & Florida State senator (2016–2017)
  • Miguel Diaz de la Portilla – Florida State senator (2010–2016)
  • Jose Felix Diaz – Florida State representative (2010–2017)
  • Jeanette Núñez – Florida State representative (2010–2018)
  • Ana Rivas Logan – Florida State representative (2010–2012)
  • Carlos Trujillo – Florida State representative (2010–2018)
  • Jose R. Oliva – Florida State representative (2011–2020)
  • Carlos Hernandez – mayor of Hialeah, Florida (2011–present)
  • Mike La Rosa – Florida State representative (2012–2020)
  • Manny Díaz Jr. – Florida State representative (2012–2018) & Florida State senator (2018–2022)
  • Ray Rodrigues – Florida State representative (2012–2020) & Florida State senator (2020–present)
  • David Santiago – Florida State representative (2012–2020)
  • Bob Cortes – Florida State representative (2014–2018)
  • Rene Plasencia – Florida State representative (2014–2022)
  • Julio Gonzalez – Florida State representative (2014–2018)
  • Bryan Avila – Florida State representative (2014–2022) & Florida State senator (2022–present)
  • Jackie Toledo – Florida State representative (2016–2022)
  • Daniel Anthony Perez – Florida State representative (2017–present)
  • Francis Suarez – mayor of Miami (2017–present)
  • Ana Maria Rodriguez – Florida State representative (2018–2020) & Florida State senator (2020–present)
  • Anthony Rodriguez – Florida State representative (2018–2022)
  • Juan Fernandez–Barquin – Florida State representative (2018–present)
  • Ileana Garcia – Florida State senator (2020–present)
  • David Borrero – Florida State representative (2020–present)
  • Adam Botana – Florida State representative (2020–present)
  • Demi Busatta Cabrera – Florida State representative (2020–present)
  • Alex Rizo – Florida State representative (2020–present)
  • Alexis Calatayud – Florida State senator (2022–present)
  • Carolina Amesty – Florida State representative (2022–present)
  • Karen Gonzalez Pittman – Florida State representative (2022–present)
  • Danny Alvarez – Florida State representative (2022–present)
  • Tiffany Esposito – Florida State representative (2022–present)
  • Fabián Basabe – Florida State representative (2022–present)
  • Vicki Lopez – Florida State representative (2022–present)
  • Alina Garcia – Florida State representative (2022–present)
  • Juan Carlos Porras – Florida State representative (2022–present)
  • Susan Plasencia – Florida State representative (2022–present)

Georgia

  • Rey Martinez – Georgia State representative (2023–present)
  • Jason Anavitarte – Georgia State senator (2021–present)
  • Steven Sainz – Georgia State representative (2019–present)
  • David Casas – Georgia State representative (2003–2019)

Hawaii

  • Joseph R. Garcia, Jr. – Hawaii State representative (1959–1974)
  • Diamond Garcia - Hawaii State representative (2023-present)

Illinois

  • Frank Aguilar – Illinois State representative (2002–2004)
  • John Cabello – Illinois State representative (2013–2021; 2023-present)

Indiana

  • Rebecca Kubacki – Indiana State representative (2010–2014)
  • Cyndi Carrasco – Indiana State senator (2023–present)

Iowa

  • Mark Costello – Iowa State representative (2012–present)
  • Mark Cisneros – Iowa State representative (2021–present)

Kansas

  • Antonio F. "Tony" Casado - mayor of Wichita, Kansas (1977-1978)
  • Ramon Gonzalez Jr. – Kansas State representative (2011–2017)
  • Mario Goico – Kansas State representative (2003–2017)
  • Carlos Mayans – mayor of Wichita, Kansas (2003–2007)

Kentucky

  • Ralph Alvarado – Kentucky State senator (2015–2023)

Louisiana

  • Blake Miguez – Louisiana State representative (2015–present)

Maryland

  • Rachel Muñoz – Maryland State Delegate (2021–present)
  • Jesse Pippy – Maryland State Delegate (2019–present)
  • Pedro del Valle - Candidate for the Republication nomination for governor of Maryland (1954)

Massachusetts

  • John F. Cruz – Massachusetts State representative (1990–1992)

Michigan

  • Shane Hernandez – Michigan State representative (2017–2021)
  • Daniela Garcia – Michigan State representative (2015–2019)

Minnesota

  • Eric Lucero – Minnesota State representative (2015–present)
  • Jon Koznick – Minnesota State representative (2015–present)

Mississippi

  • Shane Aguirre – Mississippi State representative (2016–present)

Missouri

  • Robert Cornejo – Missouri State representative (2013–present)

Nebraska

  • Ray Aguilar – Member of the Nebraska Legislature (2021–present & 1999–2008)

Nevada

  • Victoria Seaman – Nevada State Assemblywoman (2015–2017) & Las Vegas City Councillor (2019–present)

New Hampshire

  • Marilinda Garcia – New Hampshire State representative (2006–2014) & U.S. House nominee (2014)
  • Carlos Gonzalez – New Hampshire State representative (2010–2012 & 2014–2016)
  • Bianca Garcia – New Hampshire State representative (2012–2014)
  • Eric Estevez – New Hampshire State representative (2014–2016)
  • Steve Negron – New Hampshire State representative (2016–2018) & U.S. House nominee (2018)
  • Hershel Nunez – New Hampshire State representative (2019–present)
  • Jose Cambrils – New Hampshire State representative (2021–present)
  • Matthew Santonastaso – New Hampshire State representative (2021–present)
  • Kristine Perez – New Hampshire State representative (2023–present)
  • Arlene Quaratiello – New Hampshire State representative (2023–present)

New Jersey

  • José F. Sosa – New Jersey Assemblyman (1992–1994)
  • Eric Munoz – New Jersey Assemblyman (2001–2009)
  • Maria Rodriguez-Gregg – New Jersey Assemblywoman (2014–2018)
  • Christian Barranco – New Jersey Assemblywoman (2022–present)

New Mexico

  • Larry Larrañaga – New Mexico State representative (1995–2018)
  • Nora Espinoza – New Mexico State representative (2007–2017)
  • Alonzo Baldonado – New Mexico State representative (2011–2022)
  • David Chavez – New Mexico State representative (2011–2013)
  • Kelly Fajardo – New Mexico State representative (2013–2023)
  • David Gallegos – New Mexico State senator (2021–present) & New Mexico State representative (2013–2021)
  • Paul Pacheco – New Mexico State representative (2013–2017)
  • Vickie Perea – New Mexico State representative (2013–2015)
  • Monica Youngblood – New Mexico State representative (2013–2019)
  • Lisa Torraco – New Mexico State senator (2013–2017)
  • Sarah Maestas Barnes – New Mexico State representative (2015–2019)
  • Rod Montoya – New Mexico State representative (2015–present)
  • Andy Nuñez – New Mexico State representative (2015–2017)
  • Ted Barela – New Mexico State senator (2015–2017)
  • Gregory Baca – New Mexico State senator (2017–present)
  • Martin R. Zamora – New Mexico State representative (2019–present)
  • Joshua Hernandez – New Mexico State representative (2021–present)
  • Joshua A. Sanchez – New Mexico State senator (2021–present)
  • Luis Terrazas – New Mexico State representative (2021–present)
  • Brian Baca – New Mexico State representative (2022–present)
  • Tanya Mirabal Moya – New Mexico State representative (2023–present)
  • Alan Martinez – New Mexico State representative (2023–present)
  • John Block – New Mexico State representative (2023–present)

New York

  • Nicole Malliotakis – New York State representative (2011–2021)
  • Pete Lopez – New York State representative (2007–2017)
  • Michael J. Garcia – United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York (2005–2008) & Associate judge of the New York Court of Appeals (2016–present)

Ohio

  • Rick Perales – Ohio State representative (2013–2021)
  • George Lang – Ohio State senator (2021–present) & Ohio State representative (2017–2021)
  • Alessandro Cutrona – Ohio State representative (2021–present)
  • Brian Chavez - Ohio State Senator (2023-present)

Oklahoma

  • Jessica Garvin – Oklahoma State senator (2021–present)
  • Ryan Martinez – Oklahoma State representative (2016–2023)
  • Charles Ortega – Oklahoma State representative (2008–2020)

Oregon

  • Tracy Cramer – Oregon State representative (2023-present)
  • Sal Esquivel – Oregon State representative (2005–2019)
  • Linda Flores – Oregon State representative (2003–2009)

Rhode Island

  • Thomas Paolino – Rhode Island State senator (2017–present)
  • Jessica de la Cruz – Rhode Island State senator (2019–present)

Tennessee

  • Dolores Gresham – Tennessee State senator (2008–2020)

Texas

  • Victor G. Carrillo – Texas Railroad commissioner (2002–2011)
  • Aaron Peña – Texas State representative (2003–2013)
  • Ryan Guillen – Texas State representative (2003–present)
  • Orlando Sanchez – Harris County Treasurer (2005–2019)
  • J. M. Lozano – Texas State representative (2009–present)
  • Larry Gonzalez – Texas State representative (2011–2019)
  • Jose Aliseda – Texas State representative (2011–2013)
  • John Garza – Texas State representative (2011–2013)
  • Raul Torres – Texas State representative (2011–2013)
  • Buddy Garcia – Texas Railroad commissioner (2012–2012)
  • Jason Villalba – Texas State representative (2013–2019)
  • Rick Galindo – Texas State representative (2015–2017)
  • Gilbert Peña – Texas State representative (2015–2017)
  • John Lujan – Texas State representative (2021–present & 2016–2017)
  • Pete Flores – Texas State senator (2023–present & 2018–2021)
  • Janie Lopez – Texas State representative (2023–present)
  • Kronda Thimesch – Texas State representative (2023–present)
  • Mano DeAyala – Texas State representative (2023–present)

Utah

  • Timothy Adrian Jimenez – Utah State representative (2023–present)

Virginia

  • Jeff Frederick – chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia (2010–2013) and Virginia State delegate (2004–2010)

Washington

  • Alex Ybarra – Washington State representative (2019–present)
  • Nikki Torres – Washington State senator (2023-present)

West Virginia

  • Elias Coop-Gonzalez – West Virginia State delegate (2023–present)
  • Patricia Rucker – West Virginia State senator (2017–present)
  • Paul Espinosa – West Virginia State delegate (2013–present)

Wisconsin

  • Jessie Rodriguez – Wisconsin State assemblywoman (2013–present)
  • Rachael Cabral–Guevara – Wisconsin State assemblywoman (2021–2023) & Wisconsin State senator (2023–present)

Wyoming

  • Tim Salazar – Wyoming State representative (2017–2021) & Wyoming State senator (2021–present)
  • Rachel Rodriguez-Williams – Wyoming State representative (2021–present)
  • John Romero-Martinez – Wyoming State representative (2021–2023)
  • Tamara Trujillo – Wyoming State representative (2023–present)

Judges

  • Roger Benitez – judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California (2004–2017)
  • Eva Guzman – Texas Supreme Court justice (2009–2021)
  • Dora Irizarry – judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York (2003–2020)
  • David M. Medina – Texas Supreme Court justice (2004–2012)
  • Marilyn Milian – State Circuit Court judge and current judge on The People's Court
  • Xavier Rodriguez – judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas (2003–present) & Texas Supreme Court justice (2001–2003)
  • Faustino J. Fernandez–Vina – justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court (2013–present)
  • Barbara Lagoa – judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (2019–present) & justice of the Supreme Court of Florida (2019)
  • Carlos G. Muñiz – justice of the Supreme Court of Florida (2019–present)
Collection James Bond 007

Athletes and entertainers

  • María Conchita Alonso – Singer/actress
  • Desi Arnaz – musician, band leader, actor, producer
  • Rachel Campos–Duffy – Actress
  • Leo Carrillo – Actor
  • Verónica Castro – Singer
  • Erik Estrada – Actor
  • Andy García – Actor
  • Jorge Masvidal – Mixed Martial Artist
  • Ricardo Montalbán – Actor
  • Freddie Prinze, Jr. – Actor
  • Lil Pump – Rapper
  • Paul Rodriguez (actor)
  • Cesar Romero – Actor (1907–1994).
  • Jeanette Dousdebes Rubio – Former member Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders
  • Jon Secada – Singer
  • Michele Tafoya - Former sportscaster
  • Jaci Velasquez – Singer
  • Eduardo Verástegui – Model/Actor
  • Raquel Welch – Actress
  • Tito Ortiz - Mixed Martial Artist
  • Justin Gaethje - Mixed Martial Artist
  • Henry Cejudo - Mixed Martial Artist
  • Ricardo Lamas - Mixed Martial Artist
  • Yoel Romero - Mixed Martial Artist
  • Matt Arroyo - Mixed Martial Artist
  • Tom Araya - Vocalist and bassist of thrash metal band Slayer.

Law

  • Lee Baca - 30th sheriff of Los Angeles County, California 1997 - 2014
  • Miguel Estrada – Attorney
  • Michael J. Garcia – U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York
  • Leander Perez - District Attorney of Placquemines Parish,Louisiana 1924 - 1969, also served as District Judge and chairman of Commission Council

Science

  • Luis Walter Alvarez – Nobel Prize winning physicist, inventor and professor
  • Dr. Jose Celso Barbosa - physician, sociologist and political leader. First Puerto Rican to receive a medical degree in the United States. Founder of the Puerto Rican Republican Party.
  • Dr. Tirso del Junco – diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons

Columnists, authors and journalists

  • Jason Mattera – Author of Obama Zombies: How the Liberal Machine Brainwashed My Generation
  • Alex Castellanos – Political Media Consultant
  • Ben Domenech - Writer, blogger, editor, publisher, TV commentator, co-founder The Federalist and RedState
  • Alberto Fernandez (diplomat) - has written for numerous publications
  • Nick Fuentes - political commentator and live streamer
  • GypsyCrusader - Paul Miller - political commentator and live streamer former Muay Thai martial artist, of Romani and Mexican ancestry.
  • Linda Chavez – Political pundant, author
  • Geraldo Rivera – Author, attorney, political commentator, former talk show host, journalist
  • Leslie Sanchez – Political pundant
  • Paul Crespo - is a conservative political commentator, consultant and activist.

Education and Business

  • Claudia Bermúdez – Businesswoman and U.S. House Candidate (2008)
  • Ben Fernandez – Financial Consultant
  • Jeff Giesea – Businessman and organizer of alt–right and pro–Donald Trump activities. His mother is Mexican–American.
  • Armando Gutierrez – Entrepreneur
  • Robert Oscar Lopez – College professor, Author
  • Roger Noriega - Lobbyist and diplomat, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs (2004-2005), U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of American States (2001-2003)
  • Alfonso Martinez–Fonts Jr. – Businessman, Assistant Secretary for the Private Sector of the Department of Homeland Security
  • Felix Sabates – Entrepreneur
  • Andy Unanue – Businessman
  • Raul Danny Vargas – Businessman, Media Commentator, Political Activist
  • Jorge Mas – Businessman, Activist
  • Lourdes Portela Gimenez – former Personnel and Technology Operations Administrative Director Office Miami–Dade County Public School System
  • Moisés Silva - (born September 4, 1945), Cuban-born American biblical scholar and translator. A past president of the Evangelical Theological Society (1997), Silva for many years had been an ordained minister of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.

Activists

  • Bernard Barker – Cuban–American, anti–Castro activist, worked for the Committee to Re–Elect the President and fundraiser for the Nixon campaign
  • Carlos Bonilla - Lobbyist and adviser to President George W. Bush, senior fellow at The Heritage Foundation
  • Orlando Bosch – Anti–Castro activist
  • Al Cardenas – Former chairman of the American Conservative Union
  • Rafael Cruz – Protestant clergyman, active in campaigns of his son, U.S. senator Ted Cruz
  • Pedro del Valle – Retired Lieutenant General, U.S. Marine Corps, founder Defenders of the American Constitution
  • Tito the Builder – Activist
  • Miguel A. García Méndez – Activist
  • Virgilio Gonzalez – Activist, Watergate burglar
  • Marco Gutierrez – Activist, co–founder Latinos for Trump
  • Juan Hernandez (political advisor) - co-founder of Hispanic Republicans of Texas
  • Gaspar Jimenez – Anti–Castro activist
  • Eugenio R. Martinez – Anti–Castro activist, Watergate burglar
  • Mauro E. Mujica – Chilean American, chairman and CEO of U.S. English
  • Jorge Mas Canosa – Businessman, anti–Castro activist, founder of Cuban American National Foundation
  • Luis Posada Carriles – Anti–Castro activist
  • Enrique Tarrio – Henry "Enrique" Tarrio, activist and chairman of the Proud Boys
  • Enrique Ros – Anti–Castro activist
  • Larry Rubin – Mexican American, President and chairman of The American Society of Mexico, and chairman of Republicans Abroad for Mexico
  • Rafael Diaz-Balart - Cuban politician during the government of Fulgencio Batista, he formed an anti-Castro organization in 1959 and later moved to Spain and finally America.
  • Manuel Artime - Anti-Castro activist, he raised money for the defense of the Watergate defendants.
  • Eloy Gutierrez Menoyo Anti-Castro activist

See also

  • Hispanic and Latino Americans in politics
  • Latino vote
  • Congressional Hispanic Conference
  • List of Latin Americans
  • List of Latino Republicans
  • Republican National Hispanic Assembly
  • Black conservatism in the United States
  • Asian American and Pacific Islands American conservatism in the United States
  • List of minority governors and lieutenant governors in the United States
  • Conservative Democrat
  • Conservative wave

Further reading

  • Cadava, Geraldo. (2020). The Hispanic Republican: The Shaping of an American Political Identity, from Nixon to Trump. Ecco Press. ISBN 978-0062946348
  • Flavio R Hickel, Jr., Rudy Alamillo, Kassra A R Oskooii, Loren Collingwood. (2021). "The Role of Identity Prioritization: Why Some Latinx Support Restrictionist Immigration Policies and Candidates." Public Opinion Quarterly.
  • Jacoby, Tamar. (2012). "How Romney could win over Latinos." Los Angeles Times.

References


Text submitted to CC-BY-SA license. Source: Hispanic and Latino conservatism in the United States by Wikipedia (Historical)



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