The Pacific Northwest is emerging as a hub for Latino political representation, with a trio of Latina federal officials from the region facing their first reelection campaigns, potentially accompanied by others in Congress.
Former Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.) stood as the sole federal Hispanic official from the Pacific Northwest from 2011 to 2023.
However, despite Herrera Beutler’s loss in the 2022 reelection bid, Reps. Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) secured victories in their elections, abruptly tripling the region’s Hispanic representation.
Pacific Northwest (Credits: Visit The USA)
“Latinos have been integral to Oregon’s economy and way of life for decades. In my district in the Willamette Valley, the Latino community has long been vibrant, and we now represent the largest and fastest-growing minority group in the state,” Salinas said in an email to The Hill.
“This growth has made it impossible for pundits to ignore us. It also underscores the necessity for representation at all levels of government, especially at the federal level, to ensure our voices are heard.”
Demographic Shifts Alone Fail to Capture the Entirety of the Situation
The Hispanic congressional presence in the region may further expand in 2025, with Gresham City Councilor Eddy Morales entering the Democratic primary to replace retiring Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), and Washington state Sen. Emily Randall (D) vying in the primary to succeed retiring Rep. Derek Kilmer (D).
The diversification of elected officials extends to the local level as well. Last year, the Washington state Legislature established its inaugural Latino caucus, reflecting the community’s increasing numerical strength.
While Oregon witnessed a reduction in Latino representation in the Legislature in 2022, the diversity surged with the election of five Vietnamese Americans and a Native American. Despite this shift, if Salinas and Chavez-DeRemer secure reelection and Morales succeeds Blumenauer, half of Oregon’s House delegation will be Hispanic.
However, demographic change alone does not paint the complete picture. Social policies across education, health, and criminal justice have provided avenues for Hispanics, including undocumented or mixed-status families, to engage politically, according to local advocates.
Progressive organizing serves as a fertile ground for aspiring politicians in a region where both states exhibit solid Democratic support but boast a nuanced spectrum of ideologies at the local level.
Randall, the state senator eyeing Kilmer’s seat, drew inspiration from former President Trump’s unexpected victory in 2016 to enter politics. She clinched victory in a district previously under Republican representation, underscoring the region’s diverse political landscape.
Outside of liberal urban centers like Seattle and Portland, the Pacific Northwest hosts a diverse array of ideologies that may seem at odds with national issues.
The Pacific Northwest (Credits: Redbook)
Gluesenkamp Perez, who flipped Herrera Beutler’s seat, emerged victorious in a closely contested race and has maintained centrist positions, including voting for a Republican resolution condemning the Biden administration’s immigration policies in March.
The Hispanic population’s political tendencies vary across the region, influenced by factors such as urbanization and geographic location. Nonetheless, Hispanic communities are expanding on both sides of the mountains, with political implications.
Efforts to expand the Latino footprint in the region have faced challenges. In 2022, Bold PAC, the campaign arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, clashed with national Democratic leadership in a $15 million primary campaign, underscoring the consequences of Latino political representation.
Salinas emphasized the need for continued engagement with the Latino electorate, highlighting the importance of diverse perspectives in policymaking. She pledged to maintain open lines of communication with the community and advocate for their concerns in Washington D.C.
