North Carolina Makes History, First Democrat Latino Elected to the State House
North Carolina made history Nov. 3, electing the first democrat latino to the state house in the 63rd North Carolina district. Ricky Hurtado, a rural Carolina native, defeated Republican incumbent Stephen Ross by just a couple hundred votes, the biggest change in this district since 2013.
Hurtado, 31, is a first generation college graduate and son of Salvadoran immigrants who currently teaches at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Some of his most notable work at UNC includes mentorship in their school of education and being the co-founder and co-executive director of LatinxED, a university organization dedicated to help immigrant families and first-generation college students navigate their college experience, provide opportunities, and excel academically. Hurtado has additionally worked on a myriad of community projects throughout the district, such as Governor Cooper’s DRIVE Task Force, assisting the Superintendent’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, and being a commissioner for MyFutureNC, all campaigns dedicated towards increasing education, equity, and acceptance on a local level.
His campaign emphasized creating a more inclusive and successful economy for everyone in the district, increasing educational opportunities for every child in the community, and improving family health and wellness. Hurtado’s run at state congress even got the attention of former President Barack Obama and Senator Elizabeth Warren, gaining endorsements from two of his party’s biggest names.
North Carolina’s 63rd district is comprised of areas from Alamance County, Mebane, and Graham and despite previously having a strong GOP presence, Hurtado’s campaign received strong support from thousands across the area.
“Alamance County has spoken,” Hurtado says on Facebook election night. “It is time to chart the new forward for our community.”
Hurtado’s win comes at a key moment for this area as some of the district’s leaders have been facing backlash throughout the few weeks leading up to the election. Over the years County Sheriff Terry Johnson, who is still currently in office, has been criticized for, and even sued by the Justice Department in 2012 for discriminatory policing and unconstitutional seizures. And even more recently, a march to the polls in downtown Graham sparked tear gas and arrests amongst the crowd, gaining national attention from sources like the New York Times. Hurtado’s win shows the steps forward the North Carolinians in his district want to take towards a more accepting and inclusive community and is a huge breakthrough for the state.
This is just as much of a victory for Latinx students at Elon University as it is for the citizens of Alamance county. Hurtado’s historic election represents a time of inclusivity and diversity shown throughout not only the campus, but the county as well.
Elon sophomore, Gabriela Rivas-de Leon, is thrilled about Hurtado’s win and everything it means for Latinx students living in Alamance County and the rest of the state.
“I’m ecstatic about Latinx representation now at the state level in North Carolina,” Rivas-de Leon says. “Ricky Hurtado will not, and should not, be the last Latinx state congressman in North Carolina.”
This is exactly what makes Hurtado’s appointment so revolutionary. This election has opened the doors to a new era of acceptance and diversity in the North Carolina state congress, a pivotal moment for Latinx residents in the state.
And Hurtado understands this. After speaking to Rolling Stone in October, the congressman-elect says he accepts the importance of his role if elected to this position.
“I recognize the challenges and the opportunities… My vision for this position, for North Carolina, the next ten years, is to show young latinos who are excited about investing in their community, that are eager to be a part of the conversation in North Carolina, making sure they know they can run for city council, be the next mayor of Sanford or Burlington, or the next legislator of their district,” he says.
Hurtado’s historical win is a sign of inclusion and acceptance in North Carolina’s 63rd district not only for the large Latino population in the area, but for the citizens of this community as a whole.