The upcoming 119th Congress is set to achieve a historic milestone for Latino representation, with the number of Latino senators increasing from five to seven. This growth is attributed to the successful elections of Rep. Ruben Gallego from Arizona and Republican businessman Bernie Moreno from Ohio. Despite this increase in the Senate, the House will see a slight decline in Hispanic representation, dropping from 48 to 45 members. A recent analysis by the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) highlights the significant strides made by Latino candidates across 12 states in the 2024 elections, achieving notable victories in regions such as New Jersey, Washington, Colorado, and California, despite facing challenges in some areas.
The shifts in congressional representation also reflect changes in partisan alignments. In the Senate, the composition now has four Democrats and three Republicans, a shift from three Democrats and two Republicans. The House composition saw a change from 35 Democrats and 13 Republicans to 36 Democrats and nine Republicans. In the case of the Senate, incumbents such as Sen. Ted Cruz were re-elected, while others like Alex Padilla, Catherine Cortez Masto, and Marco Rubio were not facing re-election this cycle. Gallego’s victory over Republican Kari Lake marks a significant achievement as he becomes the first Latino senator from Arizona, succeeding Kyrsten Sinema, who retired after one term.
Moreno’s election is equally groundbreaking, as he becomes the first Latino and person of color to represent Ohio in the Senate, having ousted longtime Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown with backing from now president-elect Donald Trump. However, there is a possibility that if Rubio is confirmed as Secretary of State in the subsequent administration, the number of Latino senators may fall back to six. In the House, most Latino incumbents seeking re-election were successful, with 40 out of 44 retaining their positions, underscoring a solidified presence and support for Latino representatives despite the overall reduction in numbers.
Gallego’s victory in Arizona is part of a broader trend that saw Latino candidates actively pursuing congressional positions in various pivotal races. Notable victories included Luz Rivas and Gil Cisneros in California, each stepping into significant seats being vacated. Rivas, as a Democratic assembly member, won the 27th Congressional District, while Cisneros took over the 31st Congressional District. Arturo Vargas, CEO of NALEO, remarked on the encouraging enthusiasm of Latino candidates who successfully ran in noteworthy races, marking an important milestone for Latino representation despite the decrease in total seats within the House.
In New Jersey, the recent victory of Democratic state Sen. Nellie Pou was significant as she became the first Latina to represent the state in Congress after replacing the late Bill Pascrell. In Colorado, GOP candidate Gabe Evans narrowly defeated Democrat Yadira Caraveo, who had previously made history as the first Latina from Colorado in Congress, marking a pivotal moment for Latino Republicans. Additionally, the election of representatives in Washington and Northern California further amplifies the achievements of Latino candidates, with Emily Randall becoming the first out queer Latina elected to Congress in Washington and Sam Liccardo representing Northern California after a lengthy hiatus of Latino representation in that region.
Overall, the anticipated total of 52 Latino members in the 119th Congress signifies an important step toward increased representation and influence across the legislative landscape. While the gains in the Senate are more pronounced this cycle, the broader implications highlight a growing recognition of Latino voices and ideas within American politics. As Latino candidates continue to build momentum and represent diverse backgrounds and perspectives, their presence in Congress will likely shape critical discussions and policies affecting their communities and the nation at large. The victories of Latino lawmakers, despite fluctuations in overall numbers, set the stage for ongoing involvement in politics and governance, emphasizing the value of inclusivity in public service.