The 2013 Poder PAC Inauguration
celebration at the Microsoft offices in downtown Washington, D.C., was an incredible success and an inspirational call to action.  

And we could not have done it without YOU.

 Your support, either by joining us, contributing, or spreading the word has kicked off our 2013 effort to change the face of politics.

And we are just getting started. 

This was an incredible opportunity to celebrate our national and local Latina leaders, we were thrilled to be joined by U.S. Labor Department Secretary Hilda Solis, US Treasurer  Rosie Rios, Rep. Lucille Roybal- Allard, Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Rep. Gloria Negrete McCloud, civil rights icon ad leader Dolores Huerta, National Political Director for the Obama  Campaign, Katherine Archuleta, Actress Rosario Dawson and Media mogul and Latina entrepreneur, Nely Galan.  

We are thrilled to share some exciting news, Grace Garcia  a founding board Member of PODER PAC who left the PAC Board to join Secretary Clinton at the US Department of State has been selected as the first Latina Executive Director of Annie's List click here to read the press release announcing Grace Garcia as the new ED. We look forward to working with Grace in her new capacity and to turning Texas Blue in the next election cycle. 

Our goals are big. 

Our mission is important. 

And we cannot do it without YOU.

Thank you again. Best, 

Ingrid Duran, PODER PAC Chair
and Catherine Pino, PODER PAC Treasurer

The past two days rapidly passed and reminded everyone of the important work we have left to do.  There remain a few primary elections and the upcoming General Election of 2012 is fast approaching. 

PODER PAC is focused on ensuring that our endorsed candidates receive national support from Latinas interested in growing the bench of Latina leaders.  Please take a look at these inspirational women here.

The 2012 national conference provided candidates, elected officials, and young Latinas interested in elected office to come together, establish new friendships, provide advice, encouragement, and strategies that will allow us to increase the number of Latinas in elected office. 

Please take a look at the PODER PAC 2012 endorsed candidates here and determine how you could help them.  Consider liking their facebook page, following them on twitter, volunteering in person, or making a monetary donation.  

We also are challenging PODER PAC members and supporters to do the same for PODER PAC and to recruit ten others.   

Monday, June 18th, 2012
Credit Union House
403 C St NE
Washington, DC 20002

5:00 PM-6:00 PM Event Registration

6:00PM-8:00PM Reception for Event Chairs
Hosts: Ingrid Duran & Catherine Pino
Co-Founders Poder PAC

Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, Chair CHC
Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, Chair Bold PAC
Rep. Grace Napolitano
Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard
Rep. Loretta Sanchez
Rep. Linda Sanchez
*Other CHC Members Invited

Tuesday, June 19th, 2012
Inspiring Latinas on the Move
National Education Association
1201 16th St NW
Washington, DC 20005

8:00 AM-8:30 AM
Event Registration / Networking Hour

8:15 AM-9:15 AM
KICK OFF BREAKFAST
“Empowering the Next Generation of Change-Makers”
Introduction- Ingrid Duran and Catherine Pino
Welcome- Lily Eskelsen, Vice President, NEA
Video and Presentation- Marisa Rivera, Founder of Mpowerment Works
Emcee- Giselle Fernandez

9:30 AM-10:30 AM
Panel Discussion #1
“2012 Political Landscape and Latinas in the Press”
Panelist- Delia Garcia, former KS State Representative
Panelist- Maria Cardona, Democratic Strategist
Moderator - Giselle Fernandez

10:45 AM-11:45 AM
Panel Discussion #2
“Candidate Commentary”
Panelist- Mary Gonzalez, Texas State Representative
Panelist- Michelle Lujan Grisham, Congressional Candidate NM-1
Moderator - Giselle Fernandez

12:15 PM-1:45 PM
Wrap Up / KEY NOTE LUNCHEON
Introduction-Lydia Madrigal & Joelle Martinez
Poder PAC Board Members
Keynote- Nely Galan
Founder of The Adelante Movement
Wrap-Up- Ingrid Duran and Catherine Pino
Emcee- Giselle Fernandez

There are currently 435 members of the 112th Session of the US Congress and 100 members of the US Senate.  Out of 535 federally elected officials, only FIVE are Latina Democrats.

And in the 111th Session?  We briefly had SIX, until we celebrated US Congresswoman Hilda Solis becoming Secretary of Labor. 

Latinas are overachievers. We are the fastest growing segment of US small businesses. 

Are we going to sit back or take action?

In 2012 Latinos represent 15.5% (more than 50 million) of the U.S. population and we are projected to grow to 25% by 2050. Our purchasing power equals $1.1 trillion.  

Yet, in the nation's Capitol, where decisions are made daily that impact our lives and livelihood, there are only 21 Latino Democrats. Of those 21 only FIVE are Latinas. That's less than one percent!

We NEED YOUR HELP to change the landscape in Washington and across the country.  The numbers have not changed.  Not from lack of talent, or from lack of trying.  But Latina candidates often face an uphill climb from the moment they decide they want to become the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, or 10th Democratic Latina in House. 

So our goal is to DOUBLE IT.  GIVE $10, $20, $40, or more today to double the amount of Latinas in office.

Since 2008 to present, Poder PAC has supported 22 Latina’s running at the local, state, and federal level.  Let’s not stop now.  Let’s Double it.

Since 2008, your generosity has resulted in 250 donors to PoderPAC and allowed us to expand our list of Latina’s we support.  Let’s Double it.

Politics can change in an instant.  Political fortunes can be made or lost in a moment. 

Now is OUR moment.  We can do this together.  Let’s DOUBLE IT!

Give Today and Join us Next Week for our first ever Poder PAC Conference in Washington, DC.   Click here for more details.  Let’s Double it!

Sincerely,

Ingrid Duran, PODER PAC Chair and Catherine Pino, PODER PAC Treasurer

As the political machine of the 2012 election season churns forward, it is
becoming increasing clear that this year may be known for two things, the
proliferation of Super PACs and the rise of the Hispanic vote.  It is the impending collision of these two phenomena in the rise of Hispanic Super PAC's, which truly highlights the incredible change this demographic growth is bringing to our country and our political process. Super PAC's, Political Action Committees, which can raise and spend unlimited amounts of funds to support or oppose a candidate, are considered by some undemocratic. The main criticism is that they allow the few, corporations, and the super wealthy, to wield undue political influence over the many, through unlimited financial political support of individual campaigns. In some ways this paradigm is flipped when it comes to Hispanic Super PACs.  

Read more at the Huffingtonpost!

 NDN has long contended Hispanic population growth in the United States will eventually shift enough of the country's voting  population to the South and West forever changing the electoral map.  This election season is showing this assertion to be correct. There are now enough electoral
votes in the "Hispanic Belt," Florida, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona to decide the 2012 election.   Both political parties are acutely aware that carries some combination of these Hispanic-population-heavy states, will likely win the 2012 election. Yet, for the all of their growing political cachet, Hispanics are politically underrepresented in the electoral process.

SANTA ANA, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Michele Martinez’s Campaign for
California State Assembly announced the endorsements of the California Branch of the National Women’s Political Caucus (NWPC), PODER PAC, Women in Leadership (WIL) and the Women’s Political Committee.  The four organizations join HOPE PAC and the Women’s Campaign Fund, both of which had previously announced their support for Martinez.

Read more at California NewsWire

 “We need more women serving in elected government fighting to ensure that California and our nation advances forward and protects the progress that women have made,” said California Vice President of Political Action for the National Women’s Political Caucus, Tammi McIntyre.  “Councilwoman Martinez is a fighter and we know she will work hard to protect frontline services, increase school funding and keep our neighborhoods safe.  She will also be a strong leader for
women throughout Orange County and our State and we look forward to playing an  active role in her campaign.”

Read more:

 PODER PAC ENDORSES MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM IN DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR NEW MEXICO CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 1

WASHINGTON DC – PODER PAC, a political action committee founded by and for Latinas to help more Latinas get elected to positions at the local, state and federal level, is proud to endorse Michelle Lujan Grisham in her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Congress in New Mexico District 1.

“We are thrilled to be able to support Michelle in this race,” said Ingrid Duran, Chair of the board. “Michelle’s entire career has been one of advocacy for those who cannot fight for themselves: senior citizens, the disabled, children and those without health insurance. This work has further strengthened our conviction that we need more people like Michelle in Congress to improve the lives of everyday people,” added Duran.

PODER PAC is proud to support Lujan Grisham, a Latina who has spent her entire career bringing accountability and transparency to government. She currently sits on the Board of
County Commissioners for Bernalillo County.

Maria Cardona, PODER PAC board member and leading Democratic Strategist, added, “It is in these tough times that we need a candidate like Michelle, whose proven track record on
improving the quality of life for individuals and their families speaks for itself and demonstrated leadership will make all the difference in Washington.”

“I truly value this endorsement. Endorsements from Latina/o groups like PODER motivate me to continue to be a role model for other Latinas in New Mexico interested in public service,” said Lujan Grisham.

“My late father, Llewellyn "Buddy" Lujan taught me to respect my Latina heritage and to honor the contributions each person makes to our society. My dad's contribution was running a dental practice for 58 years and providing free dental care for the poor across New Mexico. My grandfather, David Eugene Lujan proudly served as New Mexico's first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice. The values they instilled in me have guided me throughout my career and my life,” added Lujan Grisham.

PODER PAC was created in order to empower Latinas who want to run for office and make a difference in their communities.

#