Just weeks ahead of the Iowa caucuses, New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas is in the Midwestern state to show his support for Hillary Clinton.
Balderas will be headed to the Black and Brown Forum, a minority-focused presidential forum. Clinton will appear along with the other two major Democratic presidential hopefuls, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and former Maryland governor Martin O’Malley.
“I’m proud to stand in support of Hillary Clinton as she fights for the Democratic Presidential nomination,” Balderas said in a statement. “There are too many pressing issues facing Americans, and more specifically, minority communities that require bold leadership.”
Balderas will be joining another high profile Hispanic Democrat, U.S. Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif., at events leading up to the Black and Brown Forum.
Minorities have been seen as a major part of the Democratic race this year. While Iowa and New Hampshire, the first to states to decide, have largely white populations, the next two states are South Carolina and Nevada, which have sizable minority populations.
Clinton is seen as having more support among minorities, especially with black and Hispanic voters. A group of New Mexicans, however, are part of a Latinos for Sanders group.
“Strengthening our economy, reforming the criminal justice system, and fixing a broken immigration system necessitate a plan of action that Hillary Clinton is best qualified to execute,” Balderas said. “Her proven leadership and decades of commitment to improving the lives of the voiceless in our country are just some of the reasons I believe she is the best choice to lead our nation.”
Balderas has long supported Clinton; in 2008, he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention for Clinton. At the time, Balderas was the State Auditor.
Balderas has since been elected Attorney General and many speculate that he would run for governor in 2018. He generated goodwill among Democrats when running for U.S. Senate in 2012 against Martin Heinrich where he did not attack Heinrich; Heinrich easily won the primary and went on to win the general election against Heather Wilson.
