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Las Vegas, NV – As the country enters an uncertain time under a new administration that has promised to target immigrant communities, now more than ever Latino legislators will be one of the first lines of defense for the community. Roughly 1 in 5 residents in our state are immigrants, a majority of them Latinos, who make up a large portion of the workforce in Nevada, including nearly two-fifths of all workers in the hotel and food services industry.
The Nevada Latino Legislative Caucus (NLLC) is committed to promoting equality and embracing diversity, making the NLLC role crucial to deliver and represent every Nevadan more than ever. As legislators ramp up for the new legislative session after this election cycle, the NLLC is honored to announce its new leadership for the upcoming legislative session.
Assemblywoman Cecelia González, first elected to serve Assembly District 16 in November 2020, will serve as NLLC’s Chair, with Assemblywoman Selena Torres serving as Vice Chair and Senator Fabian Doñate serving as Secretary/Treasure.
The newly elected NLLC Chair, Assemblywoman Cecelia González, understands firsthand many of the current issues affecting Latinos in Nevada. As a new mother, teacher, student, and part of a mixed-status family, she faces day in and day out the fears and challenges of the community.
Under this new leadership, the NLLC will continue to address the disproportionate impact of rising costs, housing availability, and affordability, improve educational opportunities for our children, and fight to support and protect the rights of immigrants in our community.
“It has been an honor to serve as the chair of the Latino caucus and to see the growth of the caucus and our accomplishments. In the last session, our members pushed forward hundreds of bills that reflected the priorities of the NLLC of promoting equality and embracing diversity. There is much more work to be done to propel the Latino community forward in the state of Nevada, and I am excited to welcome a new chair with a bold vision to serve our Latino community,” said Senator Donate, outgoing Chair of the NLLC.
Assemblywoman Cecelia González is a Thai-Mexican American, daughter of immigrants, and lifelong Nevadan who is a dedicated advocate for education and social justice. In addition to her legislative duties, she is a new mother, an educator at Mater Academy, and is pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Nevada – Las Vegas (UNLV) in Multicultural Education. Assemblywoman González is actively shaping the educational landscape in Nevada, championing inclusivity and equity. Her tireless efforts in the legislative arena reflect her unwavering commitment to advancing policies that benefit students and families across Nevada.
“I am truly honored and excited to serve as the new Chair of the Latino Caucus. This role represents a commitment to elevating our community’s voices and advocating for meaningful change. Representation is powerful, and I am determined to lead with passion and purpose, ensuring our community’s stories, challenges, and triumphs are at the forefront of every decision we make,” said Assemblywoman Cecelia González
In addition to the new leadership, the Latino Caucus welcomed two new members, Assemblywoman-elect Cinthia Moore, representing Assembly District 11, and Senator-elect Michelee “Shelly” Cruz-Crawford, representing Senate District 1. With the addition of these two new members, the Latino Caucus has expanded its representation to 9 members. Additionally, with the election of Senator-elect Cruz-Crawford, Nevada now has the largest representation of Latinos elected to the State Senate.
The Nevada Latino Legislative Caucus (NLLC) is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Latinos in Nevada for the purpose of increasing access and parity for all Nevadans. The Caucus envisions a Nevada where families may succeed, have equal access to justice, and have legislators that are demographically representative of the constituents they serve.
