When you hear the name Eva Longoria, you think actress, sex symbol, gorgeous Latina, producer, businesswoman or great cover girl in any magazine, among many others. However, you would’ve never thought she is very involved in politics and is working supporting Latino candidates to go into Congress. Longoria joined forces with Henry Muñoz III, a businessman and finance chairman of the Democratic National Committee, and launched the Latino Victory Project this Monday.
This is a progressive Latino group set to officially begin efforts to expand the reach of Latino voters and candidates in the 2014 cycle and beyond. The Latino Victory Project also includes the Latino Victory PAC, a political arm that will back a slate of candidates who embody “a pro-Latino agenda and values” on issues such as immigration reform, the environment, the economy and health care.
Longoria and Muñoz had already worked together raising $32 million from Latino and Hispanic first-time donors for President Barack Obama’s re-election in 2012. Ever since, they have both worked to keep those donors engaged. "People keep talking about the power of the Latino vote. But the truth is that (2012) was just the tip of the iceberg," Longoria told The Associated Press on Monday. "We are not tapping into the full potential yet of the Latino community."
The group, which is close to raising its goal of $5 million this cycle, would also focus on introducing chosen candidates to donors in a way Democratic groups have done for years with female and gay candidates. "Let's consider it an investment in the nation. Let's not refer to us as 'the sleeping giant' after the midterms," Muñoz said. "We are the change we have been waiting for."
"We can't as a community be so engaged in the presidential election and elect a president and yet not turn out for the midterm to elect the people who will work for the president,” said Longoria. "It is incredibly important that we not wait for anyone; no person, no president, no party," Muñoz said. "If we are to be the future, then we have to take the future in our own hands," he added.
Among the group's first designed candidates are Reps. Joe Garcia (Florida), Pete Gallegos (Texas) and Raul Ruiz (California). Also, Amanda Renteria, a California Democrat who is running for the House; Nevada Assemblywoman Lucy Flores, who is running for lieutenant governor; Texas state Sen. Leticia Van De Putte, trying to become lieutenant governor; and Angel Taveras, the first Latino mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, who is running for governor.
Charlie Crist, who is running for his old job as governor of Florida, will also receive the group’s support. “The disparity is so stark and that’s why we have to begin developing the pipeline now, not only for 2014 but laying groundwork that will take us to 2016 and then to 2020,” said Cristobal Alex, president of the Latino Victory Project. “That is the year for us when Latinos will be in a position to influence the Oval Office. Our vision for 2020 is that we will have a record number of Latino voters to help influence redistricting and to help drive and influence policy for the balance of the century. This will take some time.”
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