Hispanic Caucus PAC to jump into redistricting fight
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U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) at the podium speaks with U.S. Hispanic congressional members about immigration reform. Photos: Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call
The campaign arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus is promising to spend six figures on redistricting fights in Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico — three states key to future partisan control of the U.S. House.
Why it matters: The move by CHC BOLD PAC, led by U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), signals the aggressive role the political action committee intends to play ahead of the 2022 midterms.
- Meanwhile, Republicans are seeking new voting restrictions that target Latinos, and more white progressives are challenging moderate Hispanics in Democratic primaries.
Driving the news: The CHC BOLD PAC announced this week that it is spending six figures as part of a national strategy to ensure Latinos are heard in the redistricting of U.S. House seats, though the PAC won't say exactly how much they've budgeted.
- The PAC vows to partner with local grassroots groups to pressure the state officials who will determine how seats are redrawn.
- Groups can attend hearings on redistricting and possibly launch legal challenges to new districts that reduce Latino political power.
What they're saying: “Redistricting will dictate how Latino communities are represented in the halls of Congress for the next decade," Gallego said in a statement.
- "BOLD PAC will help fight for a fair redistricting process so that the voting power of Latinos — and their ability to elect diverse representatives who reflect their values — is not diluted.”
The intrigue: Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico in recent elections have seen more Latinos elected to state and local offices.
- Arizona saw record turnout among Hispanic and Native American voters in 2020 following years of anti-immigrant rhetoric from the state's Republicans and accusations of police harassment of Native Americans.
- An analysis of precincts by the UCLA Latino Policy & Politics Initiative in Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico showed that President Biden won U.S. Latino voters by a 3-to-1 ratio in the race against former President Trump.
Yes, but: Trump and Republicans made gains among Cuban American voters in Florida and Mexican American voters in South Texas and New Mexico by emphasizing economic issues.
- Democrats lost a U.S. House seat in southern New Mexico held by U.S. Xochitl Torres Small, an up-and-coming moderate who represented one of the most Hispanic districts in the country.
- Hispanic Democrats say the Democratic Party failed to engaged Latino voters in southern New Mexico and South Texas, opening the door for Republican gains.
Don't forget: That seat in New Mexico, held by GOP U.S. Rep. Yvette Herrell, is one of the seats targeted for redistricting.
