Latino Republican leaders from Arizona launch Hispanic Leadership PAC

Latino Republican leaders from across Arizona gathered in Tucson last week to launch the Hispanic Leadership PAC, united around a shared goal to expand Hispanic representation within the GOP.

Corporation Commissioner Lea Marquez-Peterson, the PAC’s inaugural chair, said that the group is dedicated to “recruiting, supporting, and electing Hispanic Republicans at the State and Federal level.” She sees the PAC as a platform for Hispanic Republicans to contribute to their communities, and expand their reach.

“Lea Márquez Peterson is known for having an idea and taking it to completion,” said Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-CD6), Arizona’s only Republican Latino member of Congress. “I’m not surprised to see her leading an effort like the Hispanic Leadership PAC. We need it.”

State Representative and Majority Whip Teresa Martinez (R-Casa Grande) and State Representative Lupe Diaz (R-Benson) were in attendance as well. Both remarked that there was a need for this sort of organization as the GOP expanded its reach into the Hispanic community.

The PAC’s mission is to “empower… Hispanic Republicans to win up and down the ballot.” 

It aims to accomplish this task through a five-prong strategy which includes: fundraising, candidate recruitment and training, candidate support, campaign activities, and list building. 

“We offer mentorship, strategic guidance, and financial resources to ensure [Hispanic Republicans’] campaigns thrive,” the PAC’s website reads. “Through personalized assistance, networking opportunities, and targeted outreach, we empower candidates to effectively communicate their message, connect with voters, and achieve electoral success.”

The newly formed HLPAC is a Republican response to the BOLD PAC, a Democratic organization recently chaired by Arizona Congressman Ruben Gallego (D-CD3). 

Dedicated to electing Hispanic Democrats and expanding diversity among Democratic candidates, the organization boasts a long list of members.

Republicans are hopeful, however, that Hispanic voters are increasingly leaning right. In 2022, for instance, Republicans welcomed their largest class of Hispanic members of Congress in history to Capitol Hill, and made large gains among Hispanic voters in traditional Democratic strongholds like Miami-Dade County, Florida.

“I look forward to working with Hispanic leaders in Arizona and across the country to support Hispanic Republicans up and down the ballot,” said Peterson in a press release.

You can learn more about HLPAC here.