The Pennsylvania Democratic Party unveiled today plans to increase the political participation of Latinos in the state as well as the formation of a new Hispanic Caucus within the Democratic State Committee.

“Recruiting more of Pennsylvania’s Hispanics as Democratic voters, workers and candidates is a cornerstone for future Democratic success,” said Party Chairman James R. Burn. “Just as important is for the Democratic Party to be an effective vehicle to empower Pennsylvania’s Hispanic citizens and to address issues critical to their future.” 

The Latino population has nearly doubled in the previous decade to 720,000, or about 6 percent of the state, according to the Census. 

“It’s clear that the Hispanic community represents an enormous opportunity for Democratic Party growth, just as the Democratic Party represents an enormous opportunity for a new generation of Hispanic leadership to emerge,” Burn said.

The formation of the Hispanic Caucus at State Committee will entail the collection of at least 30 signatures from State Committee members, and the submission of by-laws for review and approval by the Committee’s Executive Board.  

The goal is to get the petitions signed and by-laws submitted at the February meeting in Hershey, and to formally inaugurate the Caucus at the June meeting in Allentown.

According to Burn, the goal is not only to increase support among Hispanic voters, but also their participation engagement and candidacy for office.  

In Lebanon County, the Democratic Committee has been operating a three-year-old Hispanic Initiative, lead by Cesar Liriano.

“I’m optimistic that the lessons we’ve learned in moving this forward in Lebanon, combined with the support of the State Committee, will help Democrats enlist Hispanic participation and candidates across the state,” Liriano said.

With the launch of this new effort it is inevitable to remember that not too long ago, Congressman Bob Brady, Chairman to the Philadelphia Democratic Party, said that Latinos have enough representation. When questioned in a 2013 AL DÍA News Interview about Pennsylvania's lack of Hispanic representation, Brady argued that not enough Latinos come forward to run for office.