Hispanics are the largest ethnic minority group in the United States and also in Utah. Nationwide Hispanics make up close to 14 percent of the population; statewide they are 11 percent. Demographers project that by the year 2030, one in every five Americans will be of Hispanic descent.

Due to this growth, and to the fact that Hispanics are becoming more politically diverse, the Hispanic vote is becoming increasingly important. Although historically Hispanics have voted predominantly Democrat, that trend is changing. As recently as the 1996 presidential elections, Republicans only received 22 percent of the Hispanic vote. In 2000, as a result of President Bush's message of "compassionate conservatism," the percentage of Hispanics voting Republican was 35 percent.

During the midterm elections in 2002, 39 percent of Hispanics voted for Republican candidates. This year, President Bush did better among Hispanics than most polls predicted. He won 44 percent of the Hispanic vote and — incredibly — the vote of 52 percent of first generation Hispanics. Those are historic numbers.

Hispanic participation in national and statewide races is also growing significantly. In 2000, there were 5.9 million Hispanic votes. In 2004, that number increased to 7.6 million. This growth along with the changes in Hispanic voting patterns made a difference in the outcome of the 2004 presidential race as well as some congressional races.

Hispanics helped the president win at least five key toss-up states where there are significant Hispanic populations: Florida, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Nevada.

Nationally, Hispanics also accomplished a first. In the 228-year history of the United States, there have been only three Hispanic senators. It has been 40 years since the last Hispanic senator was elected. For the first time there will be two Hispanic senators serving in the same Congress, Mel Martinez, a Republican, and Ken Salazar, a Democrat.

Hispanics are also having an impact on Utah politics. Approximately 60,000 Hispanics were registered to vote, and of those, approximately 40,000 to 42,000 Hispanics voted. That number is sure to continue to increase and could decide some local races, especially in the Salt Lake area, which houses about 60 percent of the Hispanic population.

During this election Hispanics have shown that their vote is truly up for grabs. They have truly become a swing vote. The president has done a good job showing Hispanics that Republican values align well with Hispanic values and helping them realize that there is a home for them in the Republican Party.

Despite misconceptions, issues important to the Hispanic community are not much different from those of the community at large. Hispanics are significantly anti-abortion. They are strong supporters of family values and traditional marriage. They open more small businesses as a percentage than any other population, and there is strong support for less taxation and regulation. Hispanics believe in being self-sufficient, that government should help them help themselves. Hispanics do not want a hand-out but a hand-up. Hispanics tend to vote more for person than for party.

I believe that we Hispanics want politicians that will take the time to get to know our community and our concerns. We do not expect complete agreement on all issues, but we do expect politicians to listen to our points of view. Political leaders willing to reach out will find, as they get to better know the Hispanic community that there are more areas of commonality than disagreement.

Those politicians willing to make the effort will find their investment worthwhile.

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Marco Diaz is the state chairman of the Utah Republican Hispanic Assembly.