Hispanic candidates trying to make a statement in Arkansas

“Last year, Shawn McGrew lobbied the Legislature against measures viewed with suspicion by Arkansas’ growing Hispanic community. Next year, he hopes to have more influence inside the political process as one of the state’s first Hispanic lawmakers.

The 33-year-old from Rogers is one of two candidates in the May 23 primary that state election officials believe are the first Hispanics to run for state office in Arkansas.

“The educational process, that is educating people, helping them to understand why things are supported a certain way, is very important,” McGrew said in an interview last week. “I believe there needs to be representation on different levels. That’s one that I think Arkansas is behind on, particularly with minorities. We have representation but no Hispanic representation.”"

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