As Latinos are set to have their largest class yet in the upcoming 114th U.S. Congress, Latinos also made history within state legislative levels following this year's midterm elections.

Based on the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund's findings, Latinos "made history" by winning several races and will have its largest class of Latino state legislators in U.S. history.

NALEO noted geographical representation was evident during the midterm election with the Latino victories in Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii and Kentucky. Prior to midterm Election Day, 74 Latinos were holding office in state senates included 69 Democrats and nine Republicans. Most of the Latinos with a state senate position were from New Mexico, with 16 state senators, followed by California's eight and New York's seven and all are from the Democratic Party. Florida was home to most of the Republican Party-affiliated state senators with three.

On Election Day, it was a bittersweet result for the Democratic and Republican Parties. In California, two Democratic Latino state senators lost their races, but one was gained in Arizona, Colorado and Hawaii, each. A Latino Republican seat was lost in Missouri, but in return Latinos gained a seat in Kentucky.

The state senate election in Kentucky proved monumental for Kentuckians and Latinos as physician Ralph Alvarado defeated the state's Senate Minority Floor Leader R.J. Palmer for District 28. Alvarado, who ran on the Republican ticket, defeated the Democratic incumbent and will become Kentucky's first Latino state legislator.

At the state lower houses level, Latino Republicans were the success story.

Six Latino Democrats lost their state house seats. Most of the Democratic losses came from New Mexico with three Latinos losing their elections. Latinos in Arizona (two), California (one), Colorado (two), Illinois (one), Indiana (one), Maine (one), New Hampshire (one), Texas (one) and Washington State (one) also fell short in their races. It wasn't a total loss for Latino Democrats as they gained eight seats in Maryland (two), Massachusetts (two), Michigan (two), Nevada (one) and New York (one).

Latino Republicans gained the most seats in Florida with three, and New Mexico and Texas with two, each. A Latino Republican also won their race in Alaska, Arizona, Michigan, Montana and Nevada, each. Overall, 10 state house seats were won by a Latino Republican while Democrats had a net loss of six.

In Alaska, Republican attorney Liz Vasquez's win against Democratic incumbent Marty McGee for House District 22 earned her the recognition of becoming the state's first Latina in their House of Representatives. In Nevada, Republican realtor Victoria de la Guerra Seaman's victory for the Assembly District 34 election made her the first Latina Republican for serve the State Assembly.

Although one election in Colorado featuring Latino Democratic State Rep. Joseph Salazar against Republican candidate Carol Beckler has not been decided yet, in total 227 Latinos will serve in state lower houses (173 Latino Democrats and 54 Latino Republicans).

"We are proud to see Latino state legislative candidates make history in Election 2014," said NALEO Educational Fund Executive Director Arturo Vargas. "As leaders on the front lines of their communities, Latino state legislators play a crucial role in our democracy by addressing the pressing issues that affect the day-to-day lives of millions of Americans."

__

For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.

Related