Washington – Sen. Ken Salazar is the Senate’s only Hispanic Democrat, but he will not be leading the Senate Democrats’ outreach to Hispanics.
That job has been given to two more senior Democratic senators, Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico and Joe Lieberman of Connecticut. The Senate Democratic Hispanic Task Force announced this week includes 25 senators, including Salazar. It hosts events to bring together senators and Hispanic leaders.
Though it may seem logical for Salazar to head such a task force, Cook Political Report analyst Jennifer Duffy said that in the ways of the Senate, it isn’t.
Lieberman and Bingaman are up for re-election in 2006 and need to build support among Hispanic voters, while Salazar doesn’t have to run for five years and already enjoys great support from Hispanics. “Inside the Capitol building, it makes sense,” Duffy said. “Outside the Capitol building, it makes no sense.”
Salazar spokesman Cody Wertz said it’s simply a matter of seniority. Salazar is a freshman senator.
Staff writer Mike Soraghan can be reached at 202-662-8730 or msoraghan@denverpost.com.
