The chairman of Colorado Hispanic Republicans told La Plata County Republicans Saturday night the party has an opportunity to woo more Hispanics.
About 225 La Plata County Republicans gathered at the Sky Ute Casino Resort’s Event Center in Ignacio for the La Plata County Republicans’ Lincoln Day Dinner and Fundraiser.
Attendees heard from keynote speaker Hugo Chavez-Rey, chairman of the Colorado Hispanic Republicans, rallied for change and held an auction-fundraiser featuring everything from golf balls to an autographed photograph of “the Boss,” Bruce Springsteen.
Local Republicans could bid on a portrait of Ronald Reagan, grab a slice of cake, buy a gun or meet elected officials or candidates seeking office.
The effort to reach Hispanics is well-worth the effort, Chavez-Rey said. Hispanics, he said, are the fastest-growing demographic group in the nation.
“Every month, over the next two decades, over 50,000 Hispanics will turn 18,” he said. “By the year 2050, they will constitute nearly 30 percent of the U.S. population.”
Currently, the country has 1.2 million Hispanic veterans. “Of which, I am one,” he said.
Hispanic-owned businesses generate more than $350 billion in annual receipts, he said.
The top issue for Hispanics, and most voters, he said “is jobs – not immigration. This means Hispanics tend to lean conservative in all the key economic and social categories. So, it begs the question: Why do they continue to vote with the opposition?”
Republicans have done a poor job of relating to Hispanics,” he said. “The opposition has developed the relationships needed to gain that trust.”
He also said mainstream media creates a negative image of the GOP, and that trend needs to be reversed.
“It will not be easy,” he said, “but the time to begin is now.”
Chavez-Rey said there is a lack of connection to the political process among many Hispanics – saying Colorado has 500,000 Hispanics eligible to vote, but only 175,000 of them, typically, go to the polls.
The answer, he said, begins with trust.
“Sixty-percent believe the country is on the wrong track,” he said. “I think we can all agree on that.”
Reaching Hispanics disgruntled with the current political landscape may prove beneficial to the GOP.
“It’s not a daunting as some people think,” he said.
During a live auction, J. Paul Brown, who is seeking to retake the 59th state House District, was the auctioneer. Brad Blake, running for the La Plata County Commission District 1 seat displayed items such as a rifle and a pistol with a laser sight.
“I hope to be a rural and conservative voice for the people of La Plata County,” Blake said. “To get in there and recruit other people, to replace other commissioners.”
Bobby Lieb, a La Plata County commissioner seeking the county treasurer’s seat, said he’d bring his work ethic to the treasurer’s office.
“I came into an organization that was in complete disarray, and I’m proud of the work we’ve done to get that house back in order. I intend to carry that same perspective into the treasurer’s office,” he said.
David Cox, a primary challenger to incumbent U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, in the state’s 3rd Congressional District, called for constitutional government.
“The fact is, what we have right now is an unlawful, criminal operation running our federal government. I’m running for this office to impeach Barack Obama and return to a constitutional government that gives power over to individuals and our local state governments where it belongs,” he said.
Chavez-Rey said unity was the most important component to the party, and building better relationships based on trust was key to success.
“We need to remember that we were all a nation of immigrants,” he said.
bmathis@durangherald.com
