GOP Hispanic group calls Rick Perry Numero Uno

Somos Republican, a group based in Arizona and is dedicated to attracting more Latinos into the GOP, has tapped Gov. Rick Perry as the number-one Hispanic-friendly politician in the nation. They cite his stance that an Arizona-type anti-illegal immigrant law isn't necessary in Texas.
http://dallasne.ws/fDrIXI

Perry campaign aims for 50 percent of Latino vote

Hoppe:

Hispanics are being targeted to turn out for Rick Perry with the aim of garnering an unprecedented 50 percent of the Latino vote in November, campaign strategists said Thursday.
http://tinyurl.com/2bbualf

Texas Republicans' immigration reform stance may alienate Hispanics voters

Hoppe reports:

AUSTIN – The Texas Republican Party, on the topic of immigration reform, already eschews any shade of gray in its red, white and blue platform: It begins: "No amnesty! No how. No way."


But this week, conservative stalwarts, pushed by passage of Arizona's tough new law and angered by Washington inertia, are meeting in Dallas to demand that Texas act on a topic that could help define the party for this election and potentially hobble it in future ones.
http://tinyurl.com/2a3gvqc

Texas has lots of reasons not to follow in Arizona's footsteps

Hoppe looks at the practical politics:

AUSTIN – Rick Perry wants an Arizona-style immigration bill here like a hole in his cabeza.

The Arizona law is serving as a rallying point for Republicans and others fed up with illegal immigration, but it also could provoke a surge of Hispanic voters.

Perry already has hard-line Republicans in his corner. And he would prefer that Democrat Bill White, who speaks fluent Spanish and has campaigned hard in South Texas, not have a potent racial issue for their fall battle.
http://tinyurl.com/29o6pp5

Wooing Latinos proves tricky for GOP

Benning reports:

WASHINGTON – Two Hispanic candidates romped to victory in Republican congressional runoffs last week, just a little more than a month after Texas' highest-ranking Hispanic officeholder blamed his GOP primary loss on bias against Hispanics.


The conflicting election results highlight the GOP's uneven results in fostering successful Hispanic candidates over the years, despite repeated efforts to do so as a way of reaching out to the fast-growing demographic.
http://tinyurl.com/y32lkc4

Texas education board member walks out amid race debates

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – A longtime State Board of Education member accused her colleagues of "whitewashing" curriculum standards Thursday and walked out of the panel's meeting in frustration amid heated debates about race and the inclusion of Hispanics in lesson plans.

Read on here.