Political Progress Hispanics

• Hispanics in the 109th Congress

• (24 in House: 5 Republicans, 19 Democrats; 2 in Senate: 1 Democrat, 1 Republican)

Political Progress Hispanics

• Hispanics are a growing influence Approx 5,000 elected officials from Hispanic origin

• Number of Hispanics in Congress rising every year (2005 went up to 24)

• There is now one Hispanic Governor, Bill Richardson (Dem) New Mexico

Political Progress Hispanics

• There are 24 Hispanic members in the House of Representatives, including a sister act Linda and Loretta Sanchez

Loretta Sanchez

Hispanic progress

• There is one Hispanic Cabinet member; Alberto Gonzalez (Rep and recently appointed Attorney General Feb 2005).

• Hispanics, like African Americans have traditionally voted Democrat. But this is changing…(Cubans)

Hispanic progress

• However there are still 14 states with no Hispanic elected officials

• By 1996 there was only 34.3% registered to vote in 2004

• This is a result of the language barrier and many illegal

Political Progress African Americans

• Rise in members in Congress

• 42 in House: 42 Democrats; 1 Democrat in Senate, Barack Obama

• Four decades ago, there were only 300 black elected officials nationwide and three African-American members of Congress. Today there are around 9,000 black elected officials (BEOs).

Political Progress African Americans

• Rise in members in Congress (42in 2005)

• 1960s progress was made because of the Civil rights movement e.g. NCAAP

• 1948, 12% registered to vote by 1968 this had increased to 66% dropping to 64.4% in 2004 (whites 73.5%)

• However Gerrymandering has increased representation

• Evidence of more whites willing to vote for minority candidates

• Gains have been made at local level, there are now more mayors for example

Political Progress African Americans

• Illinois Senator Barack Obama is a serious politician. In October 2005, he was named by the New Statesman magazine as one of the ten people most likely to change the world. He is tipped to be a future Democratic candidate for President.

From the top, Ray Nagin, Mayor of New Orleans, and, contrary to what the picture shows, no friend of George W Bush. Lupe Valdez, Hispanic and openly lesbian, Sheriff of Dallas, Texas. Bill Richardson, Hispanic Governor of New Mexico.

Political Progress African Americans

• However this is a ‘double edged sword’

• These representatives are expected to improve life for their compatriots but are unable to because of white flight

• Rich whites have moved to suburbs therefore cities become poorer as less taxes paid leading to deprivation

Limitations

• Neither Republicans nor Democrats have ever selected an African American or Hispanic as presidential candidate

• Blacks make up 12% of population but only a total of 1.5% of elected officials

• Most representation is local level and therefore they have limited power

overall• Some progress in Constitutional representation

of African Americans and Hispanics but still low• Improvement in local representation particularly

at city level caused by ‘white flight’ from many cities leading to many problems for African American led city councils

• Higher voter registration but turnout remains low

• Many disenfranchised black men because of criminal records

• Never been an African American or Hispanic President

overall

• However High minority represented in Bush cabinet

• There is progress but still disproportionate