The Harris-Waltz campaign is the first to receive the endorsement of a presidential candidate from the United Latino Citizens Association, the oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization in the United States.
The endorsement breaks with the 95-year-old group’s tradition of not making endorsements in presidential elections, and LULAC leaders are expected to appear at a campaign rally in Las Vegas on Saturday.
“Throughout her career, Harris has demonstrated a commitment to justice, equality and inclusion — values that resonate deeply with the Latino community and move our country forward in the right direction,” Domingo Garcia, LULAC Adelante PAC chair and former LULAC president, said in a statement.
“Today, we are proud to endorse Kamala Harris and Tim Walz on the real issues facing the Latino community and all Americans across the country. We can trust them to do the right thing for our communities and our country.”
The endorsement was made through the group’s political action committee, LULAC Adelante PAC. The group said in a statement that its local chapters, or councils, will work to rally support for Democratic candidates, especially in key battleground states. The group has 535 councils and 140,000 members, 86 percent of whom are registered to vote.
Harris Waltz 2024 Campaign Manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez said in a statement that the campaign is honored to have earned LULAC’s endorsement. NBCwas first to report the endorsement.
“They have never backed down from fighting for the communities they represent, and Vice President Harris has never stopped fighting to create opportunity for Latino families,” she said.
In late June, Harris spoke in a video message at LULAC’s national conference, praising the Biden-Harris Administration for its accomplishments on behalf of the Latino community.
“LULAC, as we continue to fight for paid family leave and affordable child care, a path to citizenship for dreamers and families, lowering rents and helping more Americans buy homes, there’s a lot at stake right now,” Harris said. “We continue to look to your leadership. We count on you to energize, organize, mobilize and make your voices heard.”
The group, whose members are nonpartisan, has expressed concern about the impact of President Trump’s reelection on the civil rights of Latinos. Report Criticizes Project 2025 for “disproportionately” harming Latino civil rights
“Latinos understand how important this election is not only to our communities but to our democracy,” Garcia added. “The choice in this election is clear: Donald Trump and Project 2025 will deliver another four years of fear-mongering, division, denigration and demonization of Latinos.”
