August 19, 2020

Dear Governor Newsom:

We are Latino leaders across the state of California. We are philanthropists. Organizers. Small-business owners.

Advocates. Students. Mothers. Fathers. Sons. Daughters. We are the personification of your Administration’s

mission for our state – a California For All.

Today, we write with an urgent ask to recognize the importance of the Latino community in California by

appointing the first ever Latino or Latina United States Senator from our state. While we understand that the

senate seat must first open, this is the moment to begin considering Latino leaders who are ready to fill this

critical seat for our state's representation. This is also your timely opportunity to elevate the Latino community in

executive authority to build a more reflective democracy in California and our country. Here’s why:

Latinos have made it possible for California to become one of the most progressive states in our nation. In the 26

years following the passage of Proposition 187, Latinos have organized to achieve legislative wins that have

benefited all Californians: carbon-free electricity by 2045, driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants, and

guaranteed paid sick leave for all employees. To further add to our civic engagement, California now possesses

the largest Latino voting bloc in the nation at 7.9 million eligible voters.

Economically, Latino small businesses represent nearly 25% of all businesses and are the fastest growing

businesses in California with 43.9% growth between 2007 and 2012. In fact, California Latinos make up the

largest number of entrepreneurs in the country (583,167) generating $12.9B in earnings nationwide. From street

vendors and musicians to restaurant owners and wine makers, our labor, creativity, innovation, and sweat drive

need you to prioritize this appointment. Latinos in the United States are three times more likely than whites to

contract COVID-19, and 60% of Latinos have reported job loss or pay cuts during this economic crisis.

This is why it is time to put Latino leaders in positions of influence who know the challenges and aspirations of

our community. It is up to states like California to do their part to ensure that we are building more diverse and

inclusive institutions reflective of our society.

We stand together in partnership with the Latino Community Foundation, the state’s only philanthropic institution

focused on unleashing the civic and economic power of Latinos in California, eager to support these efforts with