Bennet Endorsed by Latino Leaders Across Colorado
Denver -- Dozens of Latino leaders and activists gathered in Denver on Saturday to stand together and show their support for Michael Bennet.
State Senator Paula Sandoval sent a letter to Michael Bennet supporters following the endorsement event discussing why she supports his campaign for U.S. Senate. Her entire letter is reprinted below:
Dear Friend,
Yesterday, I stood with dozens of Latino leaders and activists from around Colorado at El Centro Su Teatro in the heart of Denver's Santa Fe Art District -- a place that celebrates Latino culture and history, and a place where countless Latinos have come to organize, work and celebrate.
It is in this tradition that we gathered to show our support for Senator Michael Bennet.
I agree wholeheartedly with Joe Salazar, prominent civil rights attorney and co-founder of the Colorado Latino Forum, who says: "In Michael I see a leader who does not compromise his principles for politics. Latinos need Michael in the Senate because he is a powerful voice for Latinos and all of Colorado."
Many of us have worked with Michael for years to create a brighter future for our children by improving Denver's public schools, and by supporting the small businesses that are so vital to the Latino community.
Since arriving in the Senate, Michael has continued to champion issues that touch our communities in unique ways. Michael has been a leader on health care reform that will bring coverage to thousands of Latinos who currently lack it. He has been a strong supporter of solutions that will get our economy working again: job creation programs, jump-starting small businesses through using unused TARP funds, and making credit available at our community banks.
Like me, Gene Lucero, a business and community leader, has been impressed with Michael's genuine interest in learning about the issues that affect Latinos, and what can be done to create more opportunity in our community.
"Michael Bennet is an extraordinarily gifted and worthy successor to Senator Ken Salazar. He has continued in Senator Salazar's quest for balance, fairness, and pragmatic action for change to benefit all Coloradans and Americans," said Gene.
I ask you to please stand with me, en juntos, to make sure that Michael is sent back to the Senate to continuing fighting for all of us.
Sincerely,
Paula Sandoval
State Senator
The full list of Latino endorsers for Michael Bennet includes:
| John Salazar | United States Representative, 3rd Congressional District |
| Adrienne Benavidez | Office of the Governor, Director of Finance and Procurement |
| Celina Benavidez | Former Colorado State Representative |
| Barbara Brohl | Member, Regional Transportation District |
| Mario M Carrera | Vice President & General Manager, Entravision Colorado |
| Juanita Chacon | Former Director, Regional Transportation District |
| Nolbert Chavez | Former Colorado State Representative |
| Dr. Ramon Del Castillo | Professor, Metropolitan State College, and Latino Literary Figure |
| Eric Duran | Vice President, Davidson & Co. , Business Leader |
| Lisa Duran | Executive Director, Rights for All People |
| Joe Davalos | Vice Chairman, National Image |
| Zee Ferrufino | CEO/Owner, KBNO Spanish Radio |
| Dr. Estevan Flores | Interim Director, LARASA |
| Lawrence Gallegos | Clerk and Recorder, Conejos County |
| Leroy Garcia | Councilman, City of Pueblo |
| Stephanie Garcia | President, Pueblo City Schools Board |
| Rick Garcia | Councilman, City and County of Denver |
| Angela Giron | Candidate, Colorado State Senate District 3 |
| Julie Gonzales | Board Member, Colorado Latino Forum |
| Nita Gonzales | Executive Director, Escuela Tlatelolco |
| Rudy Gonzales | Executive Director, Servicios de la Raza |
| Monica Guardiola | Board Member, Colorado Hispanic Bar Association |
| Dusti Gurule | Executive Director, Latina Initiative |
| Vicki Lara | Executive Director, Voto Latino |
| Dr. Virgilio Licona | Associate Medical Director, Salud Family Health Centers |
| Kathy Lopez | Chair, Weld County Latina Chamber of Commerce r |
| Paul Lopez | Councilman, City and County of Denver |
| Gene Lucero | Co-Chair, Colorado Latino Forum and Business Leader |
| Michelle Lucero | Board of Trustees, Metropolitan State College |
| Christopher Martinez | Vice Chair, Regional Transportation District |
| Cynthia "Cyndi" Martinez | Councilwoman, Brighton City Council |
| Pam Martinez | Executive Director, Jovenes Unidos |
| Ricardo Martinez | Executive Director, Padres Unidos |
| Scott Martinez | Associate Attorney, Holland and Hart |
| Don Mares | Executive Director, Colorado Dept. of Labor & Employment |
| Isaac Medrano | Director, Democracia USA Colorado |
| Judy Montero | Councilwoman, City and County of Denver |
| Fidel "Butch" Montoya | Former Deputy Mayor, City and County of Denver |
| Keith Montoya | Owner, Doc 1 Solutions Business Leader |
| Pres Montoya | Former Board Member, Greeley-Evans School Board |
| Marta Moreno | Executive Director, El Comite de Longmont |
| Chris Munoz | Former Clerk and Recorder, Pueblo County |
| Debbie Ortega | Former Councilwoman, City and County of Denver |
| Richard Pabon | Member, Adams County Democratic Party Executive Committee and Community Activist |
| Theresa Pena | President, Denver School Board |
| Daniel Ramos | Student Body President, University of Colorado |
| Gil Reyes | Assessor, Adams County |
| Mannie Rodriguez | Member, Democratic National Committee |
| Martha Rubi | Former Chairwoman, Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce |
| Arnold Salazar | Board of Trustees, Adams State College |
| Marguerite Salazar | President/CEO of Valley Wide Health Systems |
| Joseph Salazar | Board Member, Colorado Latino Forum and Civil Rights Attorney |
| Alex Sanchez | Communications Director, Denver Public Schools and Chairman of LARASA Board of Directors |
| Maria Sanchez | Executive Director, Realizing Our Community |
| Paul Sandoval | Former Colorado State Senator |
| Paula Sandoval | Senator, Colorado State Legislature |
| TommyRay Sena | Latino Community Activist |
| Henry Solano | Business Manager, Pipefitters Local 208 |
| Theresa Solano | President and CEO, Latina Chamber of Denver |
| Eddie Soto | Coordinator, San Juan Citizens Alliance |
| Linda Trimberger | Board Member, Greeley-Evans School Districts |
| Debbie Trujillo | Chair Elect, Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce |
| Ellen Alires Trujillo | Board Member, Colorado Hispanic Bar Association |
| Lorenzo Trujillo | Associate Dean, University of Colorado School of Law |
| Theresa Trujillo | Southern Colorado Director, Colorado Progressive Coalition |
| Jessie Ulibarri | Executive Director, Mi Familia Vota |
| Carlos Valverde | Executive Director, Colorado Progressive Coalition |
| Linda Velasquez | Councilwoman, City of Trinidad |
| Susie Velasquez | Public Trustee, Weld County |
| Maria Young | Executive Director, Colorado Professional Latino Advancement Network |
Please note, organization and title are listed for identification purposes only and does not imply an organizational endorsement.
