An untold story of the last decade is the rapid ascent to electoral office of Latinos nationwide, who now hold more than five thousand elected positions. Latino Political Power provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to Latino politics from the early 20th century to the present.

An untold story of the last decade is the rapid ascent to electoral office of Latinos nationwide, who now hold more than five thousand elected positions. Latino Political Power provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to Latino politics from the early 20th century to the present. The purpose of the book is twofold: to capture the transition of Latinos from disenfranchised outsiders to political leaders, and to observe the relationship between those leaders and their ethnic communities. Geron tackles a number of key questions: Who is running for office? How are they elected? How does ethnicity variously shape the politics of candidates and the priorities they pursue once in office? He also addresses commonalities and differences among Latinos based on location, gender, party affiliation, and ethnic ties. Students will come away from the rich case studies and nationwide survey data with a broad understanding of contemporary Latino political behavior.

Pathways to Incorporation. Latino Politics Before World War II. The Emergence of New Voices. Into the Mainstream. Voters, Parties, and Latino Political Development. Variations on Power: Miami, San Antonio, and Los Angeles. A Surge of Representation in the Salinas Valley. Today's Latino Elected Officials. Latino Politics in the New Millennium.