Hillary Clinton Gains Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Endorsement, Group's First in Presidential Elections in 38 Years
Hillary Clinton's run for the White House has gained the endorsement of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHHC), the organization's first official backing of a general election presidential candidate in its 38 years of existence.
Not long after Donald Trump was officially crowned as the Republican nominee during the party's ongoing national convention in Cleveland, USHHC president and CEO Javier Palomarez made the announcement that the organization had decided to throw its supporter behind the former first lady.
"We are at the Republican convention to announce that we proudly endorse Hillary Clinton for president of the United States," Palomarez said. "We believe she's the best person for the job. She's got experience. She's got the temperament and track record."
'Extraordinary Times'
Palomarez added the organization made the decision to break its tradition and go public for a candidate based on the "extraordinary times" at hand.
Trump has vowed to deport millions of immigrants if he is elected and leading up to the convention republican leaders moved to make his pledge to build a wall along the Mexican border an official rung of the GOP platform.
In contrast, Clinton has pledged support for a path toward citizenship for many undocumented immigrants.
"We believe they call for extraordinary measures," Palomarez said of the party's contrast. "We believed Hillary Clinton was the right person for this job."
USHHC Represents 4 Million Hispanic-Owned Businesses
Palomarez estimated that the Chamber represents more than four million Hispanic-owned businesses that contribute more than $661 billion to the annual economy. During primary season, the organization endorsed Clinton and Trump's Republican challenger John Kasich.
Palomarez strategically made the decision to announce the organization's endorsement of Clinton after the Republican convention had commenced and Trump's theme and proposals on business and the economy under his banner of "Make America Work Again" had been out into play.
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