Election Day 2022 on Tuesday (November 8) was a great day for Latine communities across the nation.
We’re still watching plenty of too-close-to-call races like Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto’s tight battle against Adam Laxalt, but we’re hoping some of these close calls turn into more victories for Latines in Congress.
Until then, our communities had some great wins Tuesday evening. First, 25-year-old Maxwell Alejandro Frost, who is Afro-Latino, was elected as the first Gen Z member of Congress. He will now represent Florida’s 10th Congressional District in Orlando and will also be the youngest member of Congress.
“WE WON!!!!” Frost tweeted yesterday. “History was made tonight. We made history for Floridians, for Gen Z, and for everyone who believes we deserve a better future. I am beyond thankful for the opportunity to represent my home in the United States Congress. #FL10.”
New Mexico’s Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham also won her bid for re-election yesterday. She beat her Republican challenger Mark Ronchetti to reclaim her role as America’s only Latina governor.
“We have defeated in New Mexico a political movement that is fueled by anger and division, that is propped up by conspiracy theories, false attacks, and lies,” she said. “Tonight, New Mexico said ‘no’ to a political crusade that wants to turn women into second-class citizens. Tonight, New Mexicans said ‘no’ to the kind of politics and government where politicians and rioters can overturn elections, ban books, and strip our basic constitutional rights away from any group they don’t like.”
Robert Garcia, who immigrated to the United States from Peru at age 5, is the first gay immigrant elected to Congress. The mayor of Long Beach was victorious in California’s 42nd congressional district.
“Hey everyone, my name is Robert Garcia and we are going to Congress,” he tweeted.
Also, Delia Ramirez became the first Latina in Congress to ever represent the Midwest of America. The election pitted the progressive Ramirez against challenger Justin Burau in a heavily Democrat district in Illinois.
“We did it,” she tweeted. “I am honored to be Congresswoman-Elect for IL’s 3rd District. Thank you!”