September 07, 2008 02:01 AM UTC

Obama Campaign Announces Colorado Latino Advisory Council

• 2 Comments
• by: Jenn at Obama for America in Colorado

From the Colorado for Obama blog.

The Colorado Campaign for Change just sent out this press release:

Obama Campaign Announces Colorado Latino Advisory Council

DENVER, CO – Today, the Obama Campaign announced the formation of its Colorado Latino Advisory Council, highlighting the continued growth of support Senator Obama is receiving in the Latino community statewide.  The advisory council is made up of key labor, community and faith leaders and elected officials from across the state, who will advise the campaign on issues important to the Latino community, as well as play an active role engaging and mobilizing Latino voters in their local communities.

"I am honored to have the support of these leaders that have dedicated their lives to advancing opportunity – not just for Latinos; but for all Americans.  They’ve all fought tirelessly for an economy that rewards work and the workers who create it, a quality education for our children, access to affordable health care, civil rights and voting rights," said Senator Obama.  "With their counsel and support, we will continue building our movement for change in every community in Colorado and across the country."

"Latino voters will play a pivotal role in the November election, and our job is to ensure we are communicating Senator Obama’s message to this key community," said National Council Chair, Federico Peña. "The members of the advisory council bring a breadth of knowledge, experience, leadership, and action to mobilizing Latinos here in Colorado.  Over the next two months, we will be out talking about the contrast between Senator Obama’s commitment to changing the direction of our country and putting in place an economic plan that works for America’s middle class families and McCain’s plan to continue the failed Bush economic policies of the last eight years."

Former State Senator Polly Baca said, "Senator Obama represents the kind of leadership that will fight for America’s working families and will help create opportunities to empower our communities across America at this critical moment in history."

"As the Latino community continues to get to know Senator Obama, it is clear that he is the right candidate for our issues and is the best candidate to deliver the change that America desperately needs," said State Senator Abel Tapia. "Senator Obama not only understands the struggles and diversity of our community but because of his personal history and background he will stand with us and be a fighter for our issues."  

Basil Sabbah, Chairman of the Board of Solera National Bank, said, "He will create jobs here in America, lower taxes on the middle class, reform our education system, and ensure that all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care.  I look forward to continuing to work to elect Senator Obama as the next President of the United States."  

Colorado Latino Advisory Council Members:

• Katherine Archuleta, Senior Policy Advisor to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper; President of the Board of Directors, Latina Initiative
• Polly Baca, Former State Senator
• Richard Baca, Retired Higher Education Administrator, Mesa State College
• Patricia Barela Rivera, Former CO District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration
• Adrienne Benavidez, Attorney, District Director with the State of Colorado
• Celina Benavidez, Director, Division of Human Resources and Administration, Colorado Department of Transportation
• Juana Bordas, President, Mestiza Leadership International
• State Representative Ed Casso, House District 32
• Zee Ferrufino, Owner, KBNO Radio
• Debra Gallegos, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Colorado Department of Transportation
• Rick Garcia, Denver City Council Member, District 1
• Dr. Eric Gonzalez Juenke, Professor of Political Science
• Lucia Guzman – Pastor, United Methodist Church; Director, Denver Council of Human Rights/Community Relations; Former Executive Director, CO Council of Churches
• Arturo Jimenez, Denver Public School Board Member, District 5
• Paul Lopez, Denver City Council Member, District 3
• Rich Lopez, Owner, Greeley Printers
• Denise Maes, Chairwoman, Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Debbie Marquez, DNC Member, Eagle County
• Chris Martinez, Chairman, RTD Board of Directors
• Ramona Martinez, Chair, DNC Hispanic Caucus
• James Mejía, CEO, Denver Preschool Program
• Christopher Meza, Denver Business Owner
• Judy Montero, Denver City Council Member, District 9
• Keith Montoya, Owner, Doc 1 Solutions
• Dianne Ortiz, Vice Chair, Pueblo Chicano Democratic Caucus
• Gil Ortiz, Political Director, Laborers Union, Local 578, Colorado Springs
• Dan Pabon, Attorney, Holland and Hart; Denver Young Democrats
• Federico Peña, Chair, National Hispanic Advisory Council; National Obama Campaign Co-Chair; Former Mayor of Denver; Former U.S. Secretary of Energy and Transportation
• Theresa Peña, School Board President, Denver Public Schools
• Mannie Rodriguez, Chair, Colorado Democratic Party’s Latino Initiative; Member, Democratic National Committee
• Basil Sabbah, Board of Directors Chairman, Solera National Bank; Founder, Boa Energy Drink
• Dr. Anna Sampaio, Board of Directors, Latina Initiative; Professor of Political Science
• Jennifer Sanchez-Trujillo, Chair, Pikes Peak Latino Initiative (Colorado Springs)
• State Senator Paula Sandoval, Denver, District 34
• State Senator Abel Tapia, Pueblo, District 3
• Rudy Torrez, Housing Counselor, Adams County; Obama Neighborhood Team Leader, House District 5
• Speaker Ruben Valdez, Former Speaker, Colorado House of Representatives
• Ed Vigil, Costilla County Commissioner, District 1