Bonilla Disputes Claims That He Has Little Support from Hispanic Voters

Lubbock, TX, Avalanche-Journal ^ | 09-02-04 | AP

[Theodore R.]

Bonilla disputes claims that he has little support from Hispanic voters

WASHINGTON (AP) — Texas Rep. Henry Bonilla has helped President Bush appeal to Hispanic voters around the nation. Back home, the party has helped Bonilla's re-election chances by removing thousands of Hispanics from his district.

He is the first and only Hispanic Republican congressman elected from Texas. He has served as an adviser to Bush's original presidential campaign and was part of the team of Republicans the party sent to Boston to counter Democrats' claims during their convention.

Bonilla is a symbol of the progress Republicans have made in attracting Hispanics to the party. But he also demonstrates the challenges the GOP faces in capturing Hispanic votes.

He was nearly defeated in his 2002 general election by a Democratic Hispanic challenger, squeaking by with 52 percent of the vote in a district where 55 percent of voters have Spanish surnames.

He won just 8 percent of the Hispanic vote, said Allan Lichtman, an American University history professor and redistricting expert.

The following year, Republicans refashioned the state's congressional districts and one of their goals was to help Bonilla, court records show. This election, Bonilla is running in a district where 44 percent of registered voters have Spanish surnames, according to the Texas Legislative Council.

"There is huge irony there. The man has the support of fewer than 10 percent of Hispanics in his district. Isn't that the ultimate irony to put him on stage as a representative of Hispanics?" Lichtman said.

Lichtman testified on the Hispanic vote in Bonilla's district when Democrats challenged the altered districts last year in federal court. Lichtman said he also has testified for Republicans.

Bonilla, one of several convention co-chairmen, was to serve as master of ceremonies of Thursday's convention program.

He disputes contentions that he does not carry heavy Hispanic support. He defends redrawing his district, saying it was not reshaped to keep him in office, but to make the district safe for future Republican candidates.

Bonilla told Texas convention delegates Wednesday that his run for Congress in a Democratic district that hugs the Texas-Mexico border was unthinkable in 1992. But now, Hispanic Republicans hold many local offices in South Texas.

"There's a huge myth that exists out there for people of color that your skin color dictates your political ideas, and the darker your skin the more to the left you automatically are. And that is the biggest insult anyone can make," Bonilla said.

[Theodore R.]

He won just 8 percent of the Hispanic vote, said Allan Lichtman, an American University history professor and redistricting expert.

I find this statistic hard to believe, but if that's what the statistics say . . .

[JohnnyZ]

I find this statistic hard to believe

I'd sure like to see the proof, if any. I'm sure the numbers from 2002 are skewed by the massive pro-Sanchez turnout in his home town of Laredo (which is the only reason Cuellar even came close to beating Bonilla), but 8 percent is still highly dubious.