Hispanics becoming electoral force

“Tracking the potential impact of the Latino vote in 2008 may soon lead, remarkably, to the district of former House speaker Dennis Hastert R-Ill.. He has represented the 14th District since 1987, and President Bush carried it by 11 points in 2004.

But the Hispanic population there is 22 percent, making up 10.7 percent of the eligible vote, the largest of all Illinois districts outside Chicago.

Enter Linda Chapa LaVia, a moderate Democrat, freshman state representative, business owner, former U.S. Army officer and likely candidate for Hasterts seat, whether or not he retires. Were a Latina to succeed a former Republican speaker, “it would be huge” Chapa LaVia said.”

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