Hispanics in 2 parties join to back Demo

In an unusual blend of politics, some leaders from within the state's Republican Hispanic leadership are joining Hispanic Democrats in their support of Rep. Ross Romero, a Democrat vying for an open Senate seat.

Phil Bernal, chairman of the Salt Lake County Hispanic Democratic Caucus, said it's the first time he's ever joined with Republicans in a fund-raiser for a political candidate.

"Whether you're Republican or Democrat, (Romero's) been a very important figure in the Hispanic community," Bernal said. "We wanted to support him."

Romero faces Republican Bryce Jolley in a tight race for the Senate District 7 seat, which opened after Sen. Karen Hale, D-Salt Lake, decided not to run for re-election.

Sylvia Haro, chairwoman of the Utah Republican Hispanic Assembly, said while that group isn't officially endorsing Romero, some members opted to support Romero with a fund-raiser that took place Wednesday.

"Ross has a lot of friends on both sides, Democratic and Republican," she said. "He truly cares about what happens to the Hispanics and how the laws impact the Hispanic community."

Haro said she hasn't decided whether she'll attend the fund-raiser, or who to vote for, but did say, "I know Ross would do a great job, if elected."

Jolley said he's had no contact with members of the Republican Hispanic Assembly. Yet, he said, he wasn't surprised by their support for Romero.

"I have Democrats who are supporting me," Jolley said. "He has at least one group of Republicans supporting him. Their support of him is not surprising. The fact he is Hispanic means more to them than that he is a Democrat."

Jolley said he doesn't think he's very far off from Romero on key issues, such as education.

"The reason I'm running is I feel like Salt Lake is not being represented in the Republican caucuses," he said. "Every representative we have is a Democrat. It is time for us to have at least some representation up there fighting for Salt Lake."

So far, the only candidate the Republican Hispanic Assembly has endorsed is Lee Gardner, a Republican who is running for Salt Lake County assessor. He's also a member of the group and the only candidate who has asked for the endorsement, Haro said.

Republican Hispanic Assembly members Marco Diaz and Joe Reyna are organizers of the fund-raiser along with Democrats Bernal and Archie Archuleta. Diaz's wife, Yvette Diaz, works at the same law firm as Ross Romero — Jones, Waldo, Holbrook and McDonough.

Neither Diaz nor Reyna could be reached for comment. Reyna told the Spanish language newspaper Mundo Hispano that he wasn't supporting Romero because he's Latino, "but I am sure that he will help the Latinos, once he is elected."