With the launch of its new First Latinas program, The Latino Victory Fund (LVF) is strengthening its movement to support candidates who are running to be the first Latinas to hold certain positions in office.

The goal is to achieve milestones across the country though candidates like Candace Valenzuela (D-TX), who won her Democratic primary runoff in Texas this month, and who could make history as the first Afro-Latina in Congress, and Georgette Gómez (D-CA), who could become the first openly-LBGTQ Latina in Congress.
 

First Latinas launched at a virtual event featuring activist and actress LVF Co-Founder Eva Longoria Bastón and Cecile Richards, founder of the political advocacy group, Supermajority.

“It is imperative that the diverse issues that affect the Latino community are addressed, and who better to do this than the women who are already organizing and leading in their neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces,” said Richards. 

Representation, according to Richards, is important not only so people can see themselves in their leaders, but so that leaders accurately represent the nation’s multi-ethnic diversity.

“We cannot have a fully representative democracy if we do not have more Latinas at the table advocating for their communities. I know that because of Latino Victory’s First Latinas program not only will we have more Latinas elected to office this year, but a new generation of Latinas will know that they can be next.” Richards continued.

Especially in 2020, Latinas are making waves in the political landscape across the country — whether it be Valenzuela and Gómez, or Christina Hale, who could be the first Latina elected to Congress from Indiana, Michelle De La Isla, who would be the first latina in Congress from Kansas, or Kristine Reeves, who could make history on multiple fronts from Washington state.

“Latinas are transforming the political landscape in races across the country, and they're winning,” said Nathalie Rayes, LVF president and CEO.

“First Latinas aims to increase Latina representation and break barriers for future generations of Latinas who will see themselves in these key decision-making positions.” Rayes continued.
 

First Latinas is expected to build on the recent growth of Latina representation since 2016, when Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev) became the first-ever Latina elected to the Senate. Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán was elected to the House that same year.

Then in the 2018 midterms, five Hispanic candidates were elected to Congress, including  Rep. Sylvia García, Verónica Escobar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez,  Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, and Xochitl Torres-Small.

In 2020, Latinos could disrupt the establishment by showing up to vote — particularly younger voters. Latinos are projected to be the second-largest ethnic demographic eligible to vote this year but the true test will be November.