Statement from Latina Civic PAC Recommending Five Latina Candidates to Maintain Latino Representation in the U.S. Senate

Trenton – September 28, 2023 – Over the past few days there has been great uncertainty surrounding the U.S. Senate seat currently held by U.S. Senator Bob Menendez. There have been many media reports and public discussions including speculation about potential candidates for that seat in 2024. But, sadly, none of the individuals discussed are members of New Jersey’s fastest growing minority population and largest non-white voting bloc, Latinos. In fact, Latinos make up 22% of the state’s population. Yet, Latino men and Latina women represent nearly 11% each of the state’s population but just 3.2% and 5% are elected officials. And not one Latina from New Jersey has ever been elected or appointed to statewide office or Congress.

As the state’s only non-partisan political action committee whose mission is to increase the number of Latinas in elected and appointed office, the Board and Leadership of Latina Civic Political Action Committee (PAC) strongly believe that there is a responsibility to keep this seat representative of our state’s significant Latino population. The facts speak for themselves. Recently, the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) at Rutgers University, a nationally recognized organization providing scholarly research and current data about women’s political participation in the United States, released a study on the demographics of New Jersey’s elected officials. The report found, among other things, ‘…Latino women and men in New Jersey face the greatest disparities between representation in government and representation in the population.’

It is incumbent upon us as Latina leaders to make sure both Democrats and Republicans do not continue to add to that disparity. There are many able and qualified Latinas who we urge to be considered by New Jersey’s Democratic Leadership, including:

Hon. Esther Salas, United States District Judge for District of New Jersey

M. Teresa Ruiz, New Jersey State Senator, Majority Leader Latino Legislative Caucus Chair

Nellie Pou, New Jersey State Senator, Majority Caucus Chair

Nilsa Cruz-Perez, New Jersey State Senator

Dr. Patricia Campos-Medina, national labor and policy leader

About Latina Civic Pac

Latina Civic PAC is committed to helping Latinas engage in the political process and helping them run for public office while raising early money so they can become viable contenders.

Latina Civic PAC is a non-partisan political action committee whose specific mission is to increase the number of Latinas in elected office in the State of New Jersey and to advocate for issues that impact Latinas in New Jersey. All contributions to Latina Civic PAC are not tax deductible.