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Eva Longoria group kickstarts 2014 election push

Longoria, who worked to help re-elect President Obama, announced the formation of the Latino Victory Project to bolster the election prospects of Hispanic politicians.

By Gabrielle Levy
Eva Longoria arrives on the red carpet at the premiere of Canon's Project Imaginat10n Film Festival at Alice Tully Hall in New York City. UPI/John Angelillo
Eva Longoria arrives on the red carpet at the premiere of Canon's Project Imaginat10n Film Festival at Alice Tully Hall in New York City. UPI/John Angelillo | License Photo

WASHINGTON, May 5 (UPI) -- Eva Longoria is putting her star power to use by helping to push for the election of more Latinos to political office.

The star, along with Democratic National Committee Finance Chairman Henry Munoz III, announced the formation of the Latino Victory Project, jumpstarting their efforts with the endorsement of seven candidates.

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The group raised $30 million under the name the Futuro Fund to help reelect President Obama in 2012, and in 2013 helped raise money to donate to members of Congress who support immigration reform.

The group's aim is to bring Latino representation in Congress and in state offices in line with the the 17 percent of the United States population that identify as Hispanic. Among seated elected officials, there are two Latino governors, three senators and 25 members of the House of Representatives.

“These numbers clearly aren’t representative of today’s American landscape,” Longoria said Monday. “And we want a political landscape to match those identities.”

LVP identifies as non-partisan, but the first round of endorsements of its fundraising arm went to Democrats: Amanda Renteria, Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Fla., Rep. Pete Gallegos, D-Texas, and Rep. Paul Ruiz, D-Calif., all running for Congress; Leticia Van De Putte, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor in Texas, Nevada Assemblywoman Lucy Flores and Providence Mayor Angele Taveras, running for Rhode Island governor.

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“Neither major political party can dispute that one of America’s fastest-growing populations is dramatically underrepresented in all aspects of our public life," LVP President Cristobal Alex said. “The candidates who were supported by its PAC today hold positions that reflect the values of the Latino community: immigration reform, education, a clean environment and access to quality healthcare. Those candidates were selected without regard to party, and the PAC will support others in the future who hold these same positions on these issues.”

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