Latinos Gain More Elective Offices but Account for Only 1% Nationwide

The number of Latino elected officials climbed to 3,360 this year, a 1.4% increase since last year, but Latinos still account for only 1% of officeholders nationwide, a nonprofit organization reported Wednesday.

Latino women in elective office totaled 626 this year, a record jump of 5.7%, according to the study issued by the National Assn. of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, a nonpartisan organization. The organization’s fifth annual count is based on elections from August, 1987, to August, 1988.

“What we show is the continued growth of Hispanic elected officials nationwide, reflecting the growth of Hispanics nationwide,” association director Harry Pachon said in an interview. “ . . . We’re not satisfied with where we are right now, but we’re satisfied with the progress we’ve made.”

Texas and New Mexico reported the most Latino public officials. Texas has 1,611 in local, county and state offices; New Mexico has 595. California is third with 466.

The increase occurred mostly in municipal offices and school boards, with women accounting for much of the gains, the organization reported.

Pachon said he believes California, whose 4.5 million Latino population is the largest in the nation, does not have more Latino elected officials because of the large number of immigrants who do not have citizenship and cannot vote. “Los Angeles County still is listed as the No. 1 port-of-entry choice of legal Mexican immigrants,” he said.

Also, he said, California’s Latinos are dispersed through large, ethnically mixed counties, which weakens their impact. In contrast, Latinos represent 70% to 80% of the population in some counties in South Texas, making it easier to elect Latino candidates.

The tabulations did show a 125% increase in Latino officeholders in California since 1973, Pachon said, adding that there are now 21 Latino mayors in California cities with populations of more than 25,000.