The Emergence of Latino Americanos on the United States Political Stage

Book excerpt: This study is the first empirical study of the development of Latino empowerment on the United States political stage, utilizing data collected from voter behavior research, narrative inquiry, participant-observation, interviews, content analysis, case study analysis, case law analysis, and examinations of national and state labor force statistical data. This work should appeal to scholars interested in state and local government, legislative studies, law and courts, public administration, and nonprofit and ethnic studies. events give due cause to be impressed with Latino Americanos: first, the fact that in 2003, Latinos became the United States' largest minority; second, three Latino U.S. Senators, first-time Latino Attorney General and Secretary of Commerce, and female Mexican-born defeats incumbent native-born Hispanic and MPA graduate for a House seat in the Illinois State General Assembly are all historic events for the Latino community in America. This book is timely, considering significant population shifts in the United States which are redefining the minority, plurality, and majority status of Latinos, by utilizing data collected from voter behavior research, narrative inquiry, participant-observation, interviews, content analysis, case study analysis, case law analysis, and examinations of national and state labor force statistical data.