Ethnicity shouldn't be focus of voters

Ethnicity shouldn't be focus of voters

An editorial in The Arizona Republic asked if Latinos should be excited or insulted that Democratic Arizona governor candidate David Garcia is touting his Hispanic heritage.

A fourth-generation Mexican-American fighting for the Democratic nomination in a three-way race, Garcia recently raised the ire of Mario E. Diaz, deputy chief of staff to former Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano, saying that he found it “insulting” for the Garcia campaign to use his last name to sway the Latino electorate.

Joseph Garcia, director of the Latino Public Policy Center at Arizona State’s Morrison Institute for Public Policy, said:

“Firstly, I am of no relation to the candidate; I recently was in a room of five Garcias and none of us were related. Unmistakably Latino, “Garcia” is the sixth-most-common name in the United States. I didn’t say it’s among the most “popular” names because, with Latinos being vilified by those capitalizing on “white angst” and reenergized bigotry, such a name can be an additional burden. Such a candidate unfairly can be reduced to being “the Latino candidate,” and while that may attract a few more Latino votes, it also may prompt those threatened by changing demographics to vote against the name itself. Arizona, which is nearly one-third Latino, has not elected a Latino to statewide office since 1974, when Raul H. Castro won a narrow victory for governor. Could a “Castro” win today? I believe a Castro, Garcia or Gonzales could win, but only if the media and voter focus is on a candidate’s qualifications, not ethnicity. That’s a tall order, given that roadside campaign signs still count on simple name recognition to help carry the day at the ballot box.”

READ: Is it 'insulting' for David Garcia to tout being Latino in Arizona's governor race?