Latino Advocacy Groups Call for Greater Representation in State Legislature

Newark – The Latino Action Network (LAN) and Latinas United for Political Empowerment PAC (LUPE PAC) call upon Bergen County leaders to strongly consider and recommend Latinas to fill legislative vacancies created as a result of the retirement of Senator Loretta Weinberg.

News of Senator Weinberg’s retirement has led to much speculation about the future of the 37^th Legislative District. As with all such situations, these decisions will have ripple effects that create opportunities. In this instance, it creates an opportunity to fix a glaring problem: the lack of Bergen County Latina representation in the New Jersey legislature.

“Latinos are the largest minority group in Bergen County, yet not one single member of the New Jersey Legislature from Bergen County is Latino”, said Latino Action Network President Christian Estevez. “Bergen County leaders have an opportunity to remedy this omission by including a Latina on the delegation from the 37th legislative district where Hispanics are the biggest minority group representing over a quarter of the district’s population.”

The Latino Action Network was heavily involved in the Legislative Redistricting process in 2011 and has remained active in the promotion of Latino representation at all levels of government since.

“The 37th Legislative District is home to many highly qualified and talented Latinas,” said Laura Matos, President of LUPE PAC, an organization that recruits, trains, and supports Latina candidates for political office. “Latinas remain underrepresented in political office in New Jersey, especially in our legislature.”

“LUPE PAC stands ready to assist Bergen County leaders in identifying qualified Latina candidates who are more than capable of filling any vacancy created by the retirement of Senator Weinberg”, continued Matos.

“Social Justice requires that underrepresented communities have a seat at the table”, concluded Estevez. “The time is now for Bergen County Latinos to be represented in our State Legislature.”

LAN is a broad, statewide coalition of Latino organizations dedicated to political empowerment, the promotion of civil rights, and the elimination of disparities in education, health, and employment. It was founded in 2009. For more information on LAN, visit www.LatinoActionNetwork.org.

LUPE PAC is a non-partisan political action committee whose mission is to increase the number of Latinas in elected and appointed office in the State of New Jersey. The organization promotes and supports progressive leaders who stand up for an agenda that invests in Latina political leadership and advances critical issues that matter to Latinas in New Jersey. For more information on LUPE PAC visit www.lupepac.org.