The Guardian (Opinion) By Elyse Monroy: I am proud to say that in 2010, the state of Nevada elected its first Hispanic governor, Republican Brian Sandoval. However, Governor Sandoval only received 30% of the Latino vote. The reason for the low Latino turnout can be attributed to the lack of outreach by the Sandoval campaign and the Republican party to Latino voters in the silver state.
Shortly after the 2010 elections, Nevada Latinos for Prosperity was formed. We are working to improve outreach efforts with the state and local parties in Nevada to educate Latino voters about the Republican party's platforms, values and candidates.
My father, Elisiel Monroy, an immigrant from Jalisco, Mexico, raised me to live a life of traditional family values, personal responsibility and self-reliance. When the time came for me to register with a political party, the choice was an easy one for me. I felt the Republican party closely mirrored the values I was raised to have. I do believe strongly that the Republican party's message will advance itself within the Latino community, but the community just needs to learn to trust the messenger.
Both parties are justified in their efforts to reach out to the Latino voter. Historically, the Latino vote has been a swing vote. In 2000 and 2004, the majority of Latinos turned out for George Bush. In 2008, Latino voters turned out for Barack Obama. During his run for president, Obama made very lofty promises about immigration reform that he has not delivered on. Additionally, on President Obama's watch, the unemployment rate in the Latino community has gone from 9% to above 11%. The community is becoming more and more disappointed with his lack of leadership and inability to deliver on his promises.
This is great news for the Republican party, but the party's divisive and hurtful rhetoric about the Latino community is beginning to cause Latino Republicans to leave the party. A Latinodecisions.com poll found that if the Republican party's outreach is perceived as positive by Latino voters during the next presidential campaign, the GOP can expect a 38% voter turnout.
Changing the tone of the party's message on immigration would go a long way toward improving the GOP's image within the Latino community. The party doesn't need to change their policy, for we know and agree open borders are not a good thing and an amnesty won't work. But a more positive tone and more constructive rhetoric would go a long way toward keeping and recruiting Latino Republicans.
I challenge the GOP to go a step further and do more than just change their tone. I want the GOP to expect more from me and more from the Latino community as a whole. We are not one issue voters. Both parties have made a mistake by assuming immigration is the deciding factor for Latino voters. It is not. Unfortunately, the immigration debate is not being had on the floor of Congress right now – and it is not being had , either, over the kitchen tables of Latinos in the United States.
Latinos in the United States are concerned about keeping their jobs and businesses. They are concerned with keeping their children educated, fed, healthy and housed, just like every other voter in this country. The Latino community wants to be taken seriously for more reasons than just immigration reform.
Latinos in this country are business owners and teachers. We are doctors, lawyers and, most importantly, we are Americans. Listen to us and work with us, don't pander to us.
Shortly after the 2010 elections, Nevada Latinos for Prosperity was formed. We are working to improve outreach efforts with the state and local parties in Nevada to educate Latino voters about the Republican party's platforms, values and candidates.
My father, Elisiel Monroy, an immigrant from Jalisco, Mexico, raised me to live a life of traditional family values, personal responsibility and self-reliance. When the time came for me to register with a political party, the choice was an easy one for me. I felt the Republican party closely mirrored the values I was raised to have. I do believe strongly that the Republican party's message will advance itself within the Latino community, but the community just needs to learn to trust the messenger.
Both parties are justified in their efforts to reach out to the Latino voter. Historically, the Latino vote has been a swing vote. In 2000 and 2004, the majority of Latinos turned out for George Bush. In 2008, Latino voters turned out for Barack Obama. During his run for president, Obama made very lofty promises about immigration reform that he has not delivered on. Additionally, on President Obama's watch, the unemployment rate in the Latino community has gone from 9% to above 11%. The community is becoming more and more disappointed with his lack of leadership and inability to deliver on his promises.
This is great news for the Republican party, but the party's divisive and hurtful rhetoric about the Latino community is beginning to cause Latino Republicans to leave the party. A Latinodecisions.com poll found that if the Republican party's outreach is perceived as positive by Latino voters during the next presidential campaign, the GOP can expect a 38% voter turnout.
Changing the tone of the party's message on immigration would go a long way toward improving the GOP's image within the Latino community. The party doesn't need to change their policy, for we know and agree open borders are not a good thing and an amnesty won't work. But a more positive tone and more constructive rhetoric would go a long way toward keeping and recruiting Latino Republicans.
I challenge the GOP to go a step further and do more than just change their tone. I want the GOP to expect more from me and more from the Latino community as a whole. We are not one issue voters. Both parties have made a mistake by assuming immigration is the deciding factor for Latino voters. It is not. Unfortunately, the immigration debate is not being had on the floor of Congress right now – and it is not being had , either, over the kitchen tables of Latinos in the United States.
Latinos in the United States are concerned about keeping their jobs and businesses. They are concerned with keeping their children educated, fed, healthy and housed, just like every other voter in this country. The Latino community wants to be taken seriously for more reasons than just immigration reform.
Latinos in this country are business owners and teachers. We are doctors, lawyers and, most importantly, we are Americans. Listen to us and work with us, don't pander to us.
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