Latinas in Congress

It goes without question that the large-scale demographic changes in the United States are poorly represented in Congress. While we continuously assert that a more representative government leads to policies that embody and represent more of the electorate, the disproportionate number of women in Congress—and particularly Latinas—continues to be a predicament.

Over the last two centuries, the Latino community has worked its way from the periphery of the political process into the inner circles of political power. Now, in an election where political rhetoric has put the Latino community front and center, it’s time to bring attention to a larger deficiency: underrepresentation of Latinas in Congress.

In the United States, women make up the majority of the population, but hold less than 20 percent of congressional seats. As a whole, Latina women account for only 1 percent of all elected officials nationwide. Currently, Latina representatives only hold a total of nine Congressional seats from both sides of the aisle. Even more disquieting is the fact that the U.S. Senate has never had a Latina woman elected. These stats create an unpleasant picture, given that women and the Latino electorate are two of the most sought-after demographics for both Republicans and Democrats in this election year.

“Women are incredible, but we are generally undervalued for what we provide to society […] especially women in Congress who get pigeon-held into issues like immigration, education, or healthcare based solely on the belief that these are the issues we care about—but we are passionate and are knowledgeable about so many other issue and policy areas,” commented Chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Linda Sanchez (CA-38). There is no doubt that this view found in political culture continues to exists and can act as an inherent barrier for women to rise to positions of power, especially in House and Senate Committees that continue to be disproportionately unrepresentative of our country.

However, societal barriers and glass ceilings aside, this current election cycle has brought Latinas into the limelight, promising to make the races in the House and Senate a historical affair.

In 1989, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL-27) was the first Latina to be elected into Congress. To our community, that was a substantial breakthrough that created a catalyst movement that attracted other Latinas to think that they too, could represent their communities at the federal level. Just a short 27 years later, this election cycle poses a stirring new chapter for Latinas, as candidates include the first potential Dominican, Salvadorian, and Colombian female Members of Congress. Nanette Barragan (CA-44), Lucy Flores (NV-4), Ana Sol Gutierrez (MD-8), Joseline Peña Melnyk (MD-4) and Annette Taddeo (FL-26) are the five Latina candidates running for seats in the House of Representatives. “These powerhouse women dedicated to public service are well positioned to make a difference because they have the heart, soul, and passion that makes all the difference,” commented Vice Chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham  (NM-01).

These candidates are all facing tough races in challenging Congressional districts, often being out-fundraised by opponents in funds. However, that’s not stopping them. These Latina candidates are going above and beyond to get out in the community and make themselves known to the constituency. They are fervently making their policies and goals heard and continue to remind the Latino electorate in their districts that their vote matters.

 One candidate, Joseline Peña Melnyk (MD-4), who is in a three-way race in Maryland’s Fourth District, is employing a grass-root door-to-door strategy that has kept her ahead in the latest polls. Her resilience and willingness to engage the minority vote and prove the pundits wrong has propelled her to stay competitive. Rep. Linda Sanchez commented on the challenges Latinas face while running for Congress, “None of us [women] were supposed to win—we were the underdog that were told we couldn’t do it… and here we are.”

On the Senate side, this election cycle presents the opportunity to elect the first ever Latinas to the Senate. Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV) and Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) both represent the opportunity to directly address the lack of Latina representation in the Senate and overall disproportionate makeup of Latinas in U.S. politics. These Latina candidates for Senate represent a direct crack at the glass ceiling, inspiring generations of women to come with their ability to “dust off when they are being pushed down and are unapologetic about making a change in their communities,” as Rep. Linda Sanchez put it. “It is women who are unafraid and attempt to do those things that are impossible that inspire me.”

Although these candidates have received endorsements from several Latino and women-focused PACs and organizations, these Latina candidates need adequate resources and support to allow them engage in an even playing field with their opponents. PODER PAC is currently the only federal candidate PAC focused solely on increasing the number of Latinas elected to the U.S. Congress. It provides Latina candidates with early resources to help them launch winning campaigns. Founders of PODER PAC, Ingrid Duran and Catherine Pino, have worked extensively to showcase Latina political potential and highlight how supporting these qualified women is important to our communities. “It’s a time where we need Latinas to be best equipped to launch winning campaigns that are strategic and showcase what these women are capable of,” commented Pino. “Latinas and women are the stronghold of our families and our communities and it is time for our Congress to reflect that,” Duran stressed.

The Latina electorate looks up to women blazing the trail in our political system. While we recognize and aspire to have more Sonia Sotomayors and Maria Contreras-Sweets in government, it is at the Congressional level where Latinas need to legislate—to be seen and heard. It is in this space that we need strength not only in numbers, but also in leadership that takes after Linda Sanchez’s vigor and thirst to make a change, the dedication and work ethic of Grace Napolitano, the tenacity and energy that characterizes Loretta Sanchez, Nydia Velasquez’s passion to speak for those without a voice, the poise and experience brought to the floor by Lucille Roybal-Allard, the unmatchable spirit and fight displayed by Michelle Lujan-Grisham, the fresh zeal and passion of Norma Torres, the legacy of Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and Jaime Herrera Butler’s dedication to her electorate.

We live in a country where the political process encourages us to do better, to be better, and to elect members who represent our communities and our needs. We are no longer the “sleeping giant” but rather a revived community with options on the menu of who will represent us and how. In the end, it is you—the Latino voter that makes the choice of who sits behind that desk and legislates on your behalf to create a more equitable society with our communities needs in mind.

By Anais Carmona