Actress Eva Longoria is on a mission to get more Latinos into politics.
Last week, the television and film star along with Henry Muñoz, finance chief for the Democratic National Committee (DNC), launched a new initiative called the Latino Victory Project in order to increase the number of Latino candidates in local, state and national elections.
“We can’t as a community be so engaged in the presidential election and elect a president and yet not turn out for the midterm to elect the people who will work for the president,” said Longoria as the Latino Victory Project was launched.
According to NBC News, during the 2012 elections, 11 million Latinos voted. However, more than 12 million of those who were eligible to vote, did not.
“It is incredibly important that we not wait for anyone, no person, no president, no party,” said Muñoz. “If we are to be the future, then we have to take the future in our own hands.”
And that future, Longoria and Muñoz hope, includes having more Latino candidates on the ballots.
Through the Latino Victory Project, the two community leaders hope to raise millions of dollars as well as resources for Latino candidates.
“Let’s consider it an investment in the nation,” Muñoz said. “Let’s not refer to us as ‘the sleeping giant’ after the midterms. We are the change we have been waiting for.”
This is not the first time Longoria and Muñoz team up.
They helped get President Barack Obama reelected in 2012 by leading the Futuro Fund, a campaign that raised $32 million from first-time donors.
For more information on the Latino Victory Project, click here.
