(The Center Square) – Latino influence in Washington state politics has been gradually building in the decade since Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self, D-Mukilteo, joined the Legislature in 2014. Ortiz-Self is the chair of the first Latino Caucus, formed in 2023 by 11 House and Senate Democrats.
In 2025, the Center for Latino Leadership hopes to add conservative members to the Legislature to join Sen. Nikki Torres, R-Pasco, and Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy. Ybarra is currently running unopposed for the 13th Legislative District seat he has held since 2019.
At least six other Republican candidates with Latino heritage in their personal biographies have also filed for legislative office.
One of them is Maia Espinoza, who is challenging incumbent Sen. T’wina Nobles in Pierce County’s 28th Legislative District. Espinoza founded the Center for Latino Leadership in 2014 as an informal group seeking to break through stereotypes about Washington’s politically diverse Hispanic community.
“We still appeal to Latino leaders who consider themselves Democrats, but we’ve been particularly successful in getting Latino Republicans elected,” said Espinoza, citing Ybarra, Torres, and candidates for city, county and municipal positions across the state from Seattle to eastern Washington. “We appeal to a lot of business owners who believe in the American dream.”