Why no Florida Latinos for Bill Richardson?
August 9, 2007 at 9:18 am by Wayne GarciaMy “Next President” series continues this week with a look at New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, the only Latino among the major contenders in either party
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Bill Richardson certainly must have felt at home in the Disney World conference center in June. It was the annual National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials gathering, known informally as “the nation’s Latino presidential convention.” Speaking to the 2,000 members present, he called them mi gente, mi familia — my people, my family.
Richardson is the highest-profile Latino running for the presidency. His father was a California banker, his mother Mexican; he grew up in Mexico City after being born in Pasadena. Richardson’s resume is as impressive as it is long: Clinton Cabinet member and energy secretary; U.N. Ambassador; congressman and the Democratic governor of a red state, New Mexico.
At the NALEO event, Richardson’s campaign handed out an impressive five-page list of Latino supporters, prominent national names that included former HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros and the former Ambassador to Spain, Ed Romero. Dozens of other Latino mayors, council members, state legislators and former governors from Texas, Georgia, New Hampshire, California, Nevada and Arizona comprised the rest of the roster of endorsers.
Not one person on the list was from Florida.
Read the full story here.
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