Everyone wants the support of the community, but some do not have offices in California and had no plans to travel before Tuesday to the state that more delegates (415) will distribute in the nation.
A few days after the long-awaited “Super Tuesday” (Super Tuesday), which will take place on March 3, the seven candidates for the Democratic Party redouble their efforts to win more votes, delegates and be the Democratic nominee who dismisses Donald Trump
Next Tuesday 14 states will be at stake as: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and the assemblies of American Samoa will hold their primary elections state.
These elections represent 40% of the US population where 1,357 Democratic delegates – from a total of 3,979 – will be at stake.
Regarding the Latino vote and with the continued growth of people who naturalize Americans, in recent years it has become vital in many elections in several states, mainly in California where it is already a majority compared to the other groups.
This week The Opinion tried to speak with the campaign representatives of all the candidates, but not all of them answered, so here we present some of the plans and why the candidates say they deserve their vote. The answers are in order of reply of each campaign.
Mike Bloomberg
Giselle Aceves, national director of the Latino community for candidate Mike Bloomberg, said this weekend the campaign will knock on doors, make calls to voters and answer questions that the Latino community has in Spanish.
Bloomberg has more than 25 offices throughout California, including Compton, Indio, Riverside, Oakland, Los Angeles, Irvine and Modesto, and has packed media in both English and Spanish for commercials announcing its campaign.
“I am very proud to know that this campaign has invested in the Latino community in a serious way. The candidate (Bloomberg) understands that the Latino community is the largest minority in the country, ”said Aceves. "He is not just sending a pamphlet like other candidates who do when the election day is almost here."
Aceves said Bloomberg supports immigration reform, a free university for families in need and helps small business entrepreneurs.
"Mike is willing to improve everyone's quality of life," said the representative.
Tom steyer
Lauren Pérez, director of community outreach for the Tom Steyer campaign, said that since Steyer ran for president, they are focusing on several issues that benefit the Latino community, especially in the environment.
"As a Latino community we are always the most affected as corporations send us to pollute our communities," said Perez, who is a native of South Gate, southwest of Los Angeles.
She said Steyer has as a priority issues the environment, immigration reform, economy and improving the minimum wage.
Perez said that this weekend Steyer will arrive in California to continue talking with his followers. The millionaire also has 10 offices throughout California in the cities of Santa Monica, Fresno, North Hollywood, Los Angeles, Fullerton, Oakland, Chula Vista, Palmdale, Riverside and its headquarters in San Francisco.
She said Latinos should go out to vote on Tuesday for Steyer because he is "the only one" who is responsible for Latin voices being heard.
"Tom believes that in reforming our immigration system so that people have the ability to work and live in this country without fear of immigration coming to snatch them from their families," Perez emphasized.
Bernie Sanders
Jonathan Jacobo, press secretary for the Bernie Sanders campaign, is proud to say that they are one of the campaigns with the most offices open in California, 23 in total, and have been doing work with hundreds of volunteers since last year.
Jacobo said that Sanders not only gives hope to voters during the elections, but it is something he has been saying since the 1980s.
The Sanders candidate leads the way in several polls nationwide and so far he is considered the leader with the greatest chances of being nominated to face Trump in November.
“When we have a president who is the opposite of the senator (Sanders) we must pay attention. Instead of attacking poor people, (Sanders) is attacking millionaires, ”said Jacobo. "Your message is connecting with the community."
Jacobo said that this Saturday to Tuesday they will redouble their efforts to go from house to house in the working and colored communities to share Sanders' message.
"He is going to come to San José this Sunday to talk to the working community," Jacobo said, adding that Sanders is the only candidate that will give the future that Latinos deserve, including a health plan for all and the tuition. from the university for free.
Pete Buttigieg
Cecilia Cabello, California campaign director for Mayor Pete Buttigieg, said they have "a good number" of volunteers, but do not have field offices in the state.
"We are a grassroots group that works from coffee shops, houses, or the nearest bakery," said Cabello. "In Los Angeles we have a group in southeastern Los Angeles that is called‘ Together by Pete 'and they are mainly from the Lynwood, Downey and South Gate areas. "
Cabello said that the families that have served in the military identify a lot with Buttigieg. Also among the elderly community.
"We want to win all voters, but with Latinos we like them to be older people who support it because we see that older people are the ones who vote the most," said Cabello.
Cabello said Buttigieg is the best candidate for the presidency because he understands the problems facing communities nationwide.
"It's not about making America a winner or a loser, it's about working together as a team," said Cabello.
Buttigieg has a rally planned in San Diego before Super Tuesday, but there are no specific details.
Elizabeth Warren
Diego Sepúlveda, organizer of Senator Elizabeth Warren's campaign in California, said the Latino community supports her because she has a plan that includes affordable housing, health plan, public education and environmental justice.
Although the Warren campaign has only three offices in California, its team of workers and volunteers are making sure to spread the message throughout the state.
"Last week (members of the campaign) we were on a tour through the central valley of California to talk to Latinos, especially those in the working class," Sepúlveda said.
The organizer said the Warren campaign has a targeted plan for Latinos called “Restoring the Promise in Latin of Latin Americans,” which includes plans to improve various areas such as gun control, help the LGBTQ community, child care and rights of the disabled among others.
Sepulveda added that Warren's campaign is supported by Angelica Salas, director of CHIRLA and widely known for her support for immigrants.
"On Friday we will be making phone calls to the Latino community (with Rooms) at the campaign headquarters in Korea Town from 6 to 8 at night," Sepúlveda said without specifying whether the senator will reach the golden state.
However, the organizer said Warren has a great interest in Latinos, not only in California, but throughout the country.
"Latinos are going to be the largest minority in 2020 and Warren is offering a vision of justice and equality in the country," Sepúlveda said. "We shouldn't have another four years of Trump."
At the close of this article, Opinion received no response from the campaigns of Senator Amy Klobuchar or former Vice President Joe Biden. It was difficult for candidate Tulsi Gabbard to contact her.
The United States has approximately 32 million Latinos eligible to vote, according to the Pew Research Center. In California, the Latino vote represents 30% of the total electorate.
Super Tuesday elections are March 3, but in Los Angeles County, voters can now vote at any of the available voting centers, including the weekend.
To know your nearest voting center visit lavote.net
