Hispanics crucial to state GOP But party may have lost ground opposing amnesty

Janet Elliott

Jun. 14, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- As a son and grandson of men who came to the United States without documents, Joe Martinez has cringed at some of the red-hot talk about illegal immigration he has heard this week at the Republican State Convention.

"I'd love to see the rhetoric softened," said Martinez, a 26-year-old from Mercedes who is attending his first state convention.

But he knows that this is a nation of laws, and so did his father and grandfather, who both became American citizens. And he's enthusiastic about being a Republican, proudly showing off his tan-and-blue cowboy boots, one signed by Rick Perry and the other by Ron Paul.

"Once people start to realize what Republican principles and values are, that's pretty much the way the culture lives its life -- faith, love and self-dependence," said Martinez, who works as a supervisor in a state program that provides attendants for homebound elderly and disabled persons.

A growing population

Hispanics have a small presence among the 6,000 delegates and alternates at the convention, a worrisome sign for the party's future. The momentum provided by President George W. Bush's popularity among Hispanics could stall out in the face of the party's hard-line stand against amnesty for illegal immigrants.

Delegates interviewed Friday believe that with help from the GOP infrastructure their numbers will increase. That growth will be crucial for the party as Hispanics make up an ever-increasing percentage of the state's electorate.

But it can be difficult to recruit candidates to run as Republicans in heavily Hispanic areas when the GOP affiliation is often a "death warrant," said Hector Farias, 41, of Weslaco.

"More recognition from the state party would help, as would funding for some of our candidates," said Farias, a marketing firm receptionist who has voted Republican since 1988 and is attending his first convention.

Looking for compassion

Stanley Garza believes the way to grow Hispanic support for Republicans is to do what he is doing -- running for local office. The shipping company manager is running for San Jacinto County tax assessor-collector.

A longtime GOP voter, Garza said he look at the political choices this year and decided it was time to become more actively involved.

Ruben and Stella Jimenez of Fort Worth have been married for 40 years and have been around Republican politics for nearly that long. He served as Tarrant County chairman of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly from 2004-07.

Stella Jimenez is particularly tired of hearing how Republicans are the party for the wealthy.

On issues ranging from abortion to support for small businesses such as the beauty shop she formerly owned, she believes many Hispanics would agree with Republicans.

"If the Hispanics would take the time and read our platform -- what it stands for -- they would understand that Republicans are not what they've been brought up to believe," she said.

Just as U.S. Sen. John McCain and President Bush have supported a pathway to citizenship for some illegal immigrants, convention delegates are split on the issue.

"We're for securing the border," said Ruben Jimenez, whose family has been in Texas for 150 years. "In order to be a good citizen, you've got to obey the law."

But Martinez can't forget a scene he witnessed when he was 12 -- a frightened, hungry family of four hiding in a cemetery on his family's ranch. Just as his father took food to the man, woman and children, he is looking for compassion and compromise by his party on the emotional issue.

janet.elliott@chron.com

Newstex ID: KRTB-0089-25984418