Hispanics Win 3 Key Races for GOP and Lend Clout to Both Parties

In a historic election that will probably change how both political parties regard and court the Latino vote, for the first time ever Hispanic candidates, all Republican, won top statewide offices in predominantly blue states.

That is not, however, the only good news for Hispanics or the only measure of growing Hispanic power. Latinos made their mark as well on the Democratic side.

Latino Democrats are now getting at least some credit for the surprising victories of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in Nevada against tea-party upstart Sharron Angle in what was one of the most contentious and close races in the nation. Latinos accounted for 14 percent of the vote in Nevada, and based on exit polls, two-thirds of Latinos voted for Reid. Latinos are also credited for the last-minute surge of Michael Bennet, the incumbent Democrat candidate for the U.S. Senate in Colorado, where Latinos make up 13 percent of all voters. Bennet, whose election to a full term was in doubt during much of the campaign, claimed victory on Wednesday afternoon. His opponent, Ken Buck, a Republican district attorney with tea-party support, has conceded.


Read more:http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/11/04/hispanics-win-3-key-races-for-gop-and-lend-clout-to-both-parties/