In one night, Hispanic Republican Party candidates won three statewide races – two governorships and one senate seat. Democrats only have one Hispanic statewide office holder in the country, Sen. Bob Menéndez of New Jersey.

The Americano

It started as soon as the polls closed in the State of Florida. Republican Marco Rubio, the son of Cuban exiles and a Tea Party favorite, was declared the winner of the Senate race. His margin of victory more than doubled that of his two rivals.

Less than four hours later the news came from New Mexico, Susana Martínez became the first Hispanic woman, elected governor. The New Mexico media said her winning candidacy for the highest job in the state was a “game changer.”  Martínez has been District Attorney for the 3rd Judicial District in Doña Ana County for 13 years.

And not long after that, Republican Brian Sandoval, a 47-year-old former federal judge, became Nevada’s first Hispanic Governor. Before that, Sandoval had been Nevada’s Attorney General. He defeated Rory Reid, the son of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

In one night, Hispanic Republican Party candidates won three statewide races – two governorships and one senate seat. Democrats only have one Hispanic statewide office holder in the country, Sen. Bob Menéndez of New Jersey.

Tuesday’s results also gives the Republican Party fresh new Hispanic faces to attract Hispanic voters in future elections. In Florida, Rubio garnered 60 percent of the state’s Hispanic vote.

Martínez is known for her conservative values and is a tough prosecutor who makes it a point of personally trying some of the toughest cases herself. She does this particularly in cases of child abuse or when a child is killed. She believes in less government, lower taxes, and personal responsibility. She is pro-life and strongly supports the 2nd Amendment, which grants Americans the right to bear arms.

As with Rubio, Martínez is also seen by many analysts as a possible star-in-the-making for the Republican Party. Martínez will replace outgoing Democratic Governor Bill Richardson.

Sandoval decided to run for Governor of Nevada in September of 2009, and was so intent on winning that he resigned his life-time appointment as a federal judge. He campaigned for governor on a platform that called for diversifying Nevada’s economy, “maintaining a business-friendly environment and reforming education.”

All three Hispanic Republican winners were backed by the Tea Party movement. All three are conservative values that are much in tune with the values of Hispanic voters throughout the nation.

The Albuquerque Journal said that Martinez, “the first Hispanic woman in the country to be nominated for governor by a major party, focused her campaign on cutting state spending and stopping what she called rampant corruption in Santa Fe.” She defeated New Mexico Lt. Governor Diane Denish.

The 51-year-old Martínez was critical of Gov. Richardson and tried to link Denish to the administration’s policies and shortcomings. She was successful, as she defeated her Democratic opponent by 10 points.

In Nevada, Sandoval defeated Reid by 11 points.

The election of Martínez and Sandoval is particularly important, because in 2011 the state legislatures and the governors will draw the lines for the new congressional districts. This will make it harder for Democratic candidates to win newly redistricted congressional districts.

The Americano/ Agencies

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