On a hot Saturday morning, Maria Beltran walked up and down the streets of a neighborhood in Toppenish, canvassing residents in Washington state’s 14th Legislative District.
Despite the heat, she remained committed to her purpose — reaching voters and sharing her story.
Nearly everyone she spoke with was Latino and Spanish-speaking.
Beltran is one of four Latina candidates campaigning for a first-time seat in the Legislature.
Republicans Gloria Mendoza and Andy Kallinen , as well as Democrat Chelsea Dimas from Sunnyside, are vying for Position 1 in the House.
Pasco’s Ana Ruiz Kennedy , a Democrat, is running for Position 2 against independent Eddie Perez and Republican Deb Manjarrez .
Voters in the newly redrawn Latino-majority district are just over 50% Hispanic.
It includes a chunk of Pasco, east Yakima, Sunnyside, Granger, Mabton, Grandview and the Yakama Nation Reservation, and extends west to Lyle.
The redistricting was controversial and in the end, blasted by many Republicans as a move that favored Democrats.