Latino candidates: ‘We are here to stay’

A week before the New Hampshire State Primary in September, a group of local and state candidates from the greater Manchester and greater Nashua areas gathered to share their respective visions, if elected and re-elected.

The need for greater engagement and inclusion was the common thread that tied them together.

State Rep. Maria Perez, a Democrat who was seeking reelection in Hillsborough District 43 in Milford, promised to push legislation to increase access to mental health care for minorities and great access to abortions.

Jason Bonilla, 30, who is the son of Salvadoran immigrants, was running for reelection as Manchester’s Ward 5 School Board member. He expressed his interest in building more bridges for parents of English language learners to advocate for their kids. He also believes his position on the Manchester School Board sets a great example for Latino children who can see how they can make a difference in their communities by getting involved.

Allisandra Murray and Dr. Trinidad Tellez were both seeking the Democratic nomination in the September primary to represent Hillsborough District 20 in the State House. Murray, who has Nicaraguan parents, and Tellez, who is of Cuban and Mexican descent, were also interested in creating greater inclusion to important healthcare services and generating more Latino engagement in the political process.

Murray said that if Latinos want to have more of an impact here in New Hampshire, younger Latino voters have to get involved instead of just focusing on TikTok. “The more Latinos disengage, the less the things we want to happen will happen,” she said.

Perez also acknowledged that while Latinos continue to make gains by having more of a presence at the State House, there is much work to be done. In addition to representing their constituents, Perez believes elected officials should attend events statewide to increase their public profile and demonstrate to New Hampshire voters in the North Country, the Seacoast and Upper Valley they represent all of the people in the Granite State.

The Latino candidates also realize they are still fighting an uphill battle to gain more traction when it comes to the legislative initiatives. When it comes to the New Hampshire House, there is strength in numbers, and elected minority officials can feel isolated.

A look at the state’s demographics illustrates what they are up against. New Hampshire residents are 93.1% white, compared to 76.3% of the population nationally, according to the 2019 Census. New Hampshire has become more diverse since 1990, when 98% of the population identified as white. Hispanics and Latinos make up 4.4%, Asians account for 3% and African Americans are 1.8% of the total New Hampshire population. Approximately 6% of New Hampshire residents are foreign born. Only 6% of New Hampshire elected representatives are minorities and 29% are female.

Still Carlos Gonzales, the first Latino elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives in 2000 as a Republican, acknowledges the playing field in Concord is much better today than it was when he first entered office.

Gonzales, who is originally from the Dominican Republic, serves as the Manchester School Board Ward 12 representative. He was running to capture the Hillsborough District 40 House seat. To better understand how they can help the Latino community, Gonzales said Democrats and Republicans need to do more than just court their vote at election time. They also need to be honest and realistic about how they could help the Latino community.

Gonzales made one thing abundantly clear:“We are here to stay, but we need to participate.” 603

THE LESS THE THINGS WE WANT TO HAPPEN WILL HAPPEN.”

— Allisandra Murray

State House Democratic candidate Allisandra Murray and House Rep. Dr. Trinidad Tellez, D-Manchester, who were running for the same House seat, Jason Bonilla, Manchester Ward 5 School Board member, Carlos Gonzales, Manchester Ward 12 School Board member and Republican House Rep. candidate for Hillsborough County District 40, and State Rep. Maria Perez, D-Milford participated in a Latino candidates forum this fall where they discussed what members of their community must do to make their voices heard. (Photo by Robert Cook)