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Monday, July 17, 2006

NM Gov. Pushes Hispanic Vote in Washington State


Associated Press
      SUNNYSIDE, Wash. — Hispanics need to become more involved in the political process to ensure their voices are heard on issues facing the nation, including immigration, the nation's only Hispanic governor said during a weekend visit to the state.
    Registering to vote and going to the polls are critical parts of that process, Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico said in a Saturday speech at the Sunnyside Community Center in Eastern Washington.
    ''The more we register, the more politicians on both sides of the aisle are going to listen to us,'' Richardson told the largely Hispanic crowd of about 125 people.
    Richardson, who served 15 years in Congress and was energy secretary in the Clinton administration, said he is concerned about the ongoing congressional clashes over immigration.
    He said he favors securing America's borders, offering future citizenship to illegal residents already here and expanding the legal immigration quota for several countries.
    America relies on immigration to maintain its work force, Richardson said. ''It's not just a Latino issue; it's an American issue,'' he said.
    Richardson also visited Yakima and Seattle, promoting the re-election campaign of incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, who is being challenged by former Safeco insurance chief Mike McGavick, a Republican.
    In the Democratic primary, Cantwell faces Hong Tran, 40, a Seattle legal services lawyer running on an anti-war platform. Two other war critics also are running: Green Party candidate Aaron Dixon and Libertarian Bruce Guthrie.
    Cantwell's most outspoken challenger, anti-war liberal Mark Wilson, announced this month he was joining the Cantwell campaign. Followup reports said he is being paid $8,000 a month as outreach director, sparking criticism of the Cantwell decision to hire him.
    Richardson's visit to the Yakima Valley also promoted local candidates for the state Legislature, including House hopeful Glen Pinkham of Wapato and Senate candidate Tomas Villanueva of Toppenish.
    Daniel Ortega of Toppenish said he appreciated Richardson taking the time to stop in Sunnyside. ''It's a long way,'' Ortega said.
    Richardson, who has not ruled out a presidential bid in 2008, said his first concern is the governor's race in New Mexico this fall.
    In May, Mexican President Vicente Fox visited Yakima with Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire.
   

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