Emerging New York City Latino Leaders Trained on Running for Office by National Latino Group

WASHINGTON – This past weekend, Latino Victory Fund, the most influential national organization helping to build political power within the Latino community at every level of government, completed its Path to Victory initiative in New York. The two-day training program prepares candidates and potential candidates to run for office. The initiative was launched as Latino Victory gears up to play a pivotal role in the 2024 Presidential Election. 

Path to Victory was co-sponsored by the New York Central Labor Council (NYCLC), which hosted the training at its Manhattan offices. The two-day training program prepares candidates, potential candidates, and staff to run successful campaigns – from determining their vote goal and building a campaign plan, setting up campaign operations, managing staff and volunteers, crafting their pitch, building a fundraising base, ethics, and compliance. After training nearly 100 candidates in 2023, Latino Victory is ready to continue building the next generation of elected Latino leaders in 2024 and beyond. 

“When it comes to economic and cultural contributions, Latinos punch above our weight. But we lack representation in elected offices,” said Katharine Pichardo-Erskine, Executive Director of the Latino Victory Fund. “Nationally, Latinos represent close to 20% of the U.S. population, but only 2% of the elected positions. Latino Victory is committed to building political power within the Latino community and working to close this gap, starting with our Path to Victory training program, which prepares the next generation of Latino elected officials. We know Latinos have the talent to make great elected officials – and now they will have the tools as well!”

The NYC training was conducted by campaign experts from the National Democratic Training Committee (NDTC), Google, and the NYC-based compliance firm of Pitta Bishop DelGiorno.  Elected officials, including New York State Senator Luis Sepúlveda and Council Member Carmen De La Rosa, as well as former Assembly Member Aridia Espinal and former Council Member Marjorie Velasquez, participated and provided their perspectives on running for office. 

Latino Victory is committed to bringing Path to Victory and similar initiatives to states across the country as part of its efforts to boost turnout and generate enthusiasm in the Latino electorate and to support progressive Latinos running up and down the ballot. Latino Victory has previously hosted Path to Victory training programs in Florida, Pennsylvania, and Arizona – an important swing state for the presidential election.  The next training will be conducted virtually in mid-May and will allow for participants from throughout the country. 

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