Rep. Linda Sánchez will be the first woman to helm the Congressional Hispanic Caucus’ campaign arm.
Sánchez, D-Whittier, who was first elected to Congress in 2002, will serve as chairwoman of the BOLD PAC for the next two years, the organization announced Wednesday, March 1, on the first day of Women’s History Month. She was elected to the seat in a closed-ballot vote against Rep. Norma Torres, D-Ontario.
Calling her election “an honor,” the Democratic lawmaker added that her work is far from over, saying in a statement, “While this Congress is the most diverse in history, there is so much work left to be done.”
The percentage of non-White members of Congress has steadily grown over the years and Latino lawmakers in particular made historic gains in the 2022 midterm elections — the number of Latinos elected to federal and statewide office hit an all-time high.
However, Sánchez said Hispanics still make up only 10% of Congress, though they account for nearly 19% of the population. Women, who make up more than half of the U.S. population, account for just over 28% of Congress.
“As we continue our fight to increase diversity in Congress, my top priority will be to ensure that the Latino community is central to the political process,” Sánchez said. “That means defending our incumbents and making sure that Latino, and especially Latina, candidates are encouraged to run for office nationwide and have the resources they need to win.”
Several elected officials in Orange County praised the choice of Sánchez as chair, echoing each other that the experiences she brings to the table will benefit the Latino community, as well as working Americans.
“Rep. Sánchez has spent years fighting for Southern California’s working families, and has never relented in her mission to uplift Latino voices, here in California, and across the country,” Rep. Lou Correa, D-Anaheim, said. “That’s why I was honored to ratify her election alongside my fellow…
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