The latest U.S. Census projection estimates that Latinos are 15 percent of Connecticut's population.
Three years ago, Connecticut voters elected the first two Latino senators in the state's history to the General Assembly.
There are currently 13 Latinos serving in the General Assembly, according to the Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission. While this is the most on record, it is still an underrepresentation of the population.
The latest U.S. Census projection estimates that Latinos are 15 percent of Connecticut's population, but comprise only 7 percent of the General Assembly.
Werner Oyanadel, executive director of the Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission, said this gap is relevant because of the needs that remain in the Latino community.
"No challenge is more critical than having access to quality education," Oyanadel said in an email. "The education opportunity gap, as I call it, must be closed and our policymakers must stay ever vigilant in ensuring that English Language Learners (ELL) are adequately served."
Still, the community has been making headway locally. There are Latino mayoral candidates in Bridgeport, Waterbury, and Hartford, though the capitol city is losing its second Latino mayor, Pedro Segarra,who lost in the September primary. Unaffiliated candidate Joel Cruz Jr. faces Democrat Luke Bronin and Republican Theodore Cannon for Hartford's top city spot.
In Norwalk, 21 year-old college student Eloisa Melendez seeks her second term on the City Council. CT Latino News lists Melendez as one of a handful of rising Latino stars in the state.
There are also a few possible firsts in this year's election. Stamford has its first Latina candidate for the school board, Ligia Marroquin, and Bristol could also see its first City Council member with Hispanic ancestry, Mayra Berrios-Sampson.
While Latinos are gaining in representation, voter registration remains relatively low compared to other ethnic groups. Oyanadel said there's been a "healthy level of electoral engagement in our community, but more work needs to be done."
Underrepresentation in Hartford is relevant, he said, "as we attempt to work on closing the largest achievement gap in education for Latinos in the country, improving job opportunities and enhancing affordable housing for this significantly growing segment of our community."
