New Arlington County Board Chair Blasts Scapegoating of Immigrants

By: TheGreenMiles
Published On: 1/1/2008 6:08:57 PM

With banks of cameras lining both sides of the room, it didn't take long to figure out this wasn't an ordinary first meeting of the year for the Arlington County Board. El Salvador native Walter Tejada was taking the chairman's gavel and with immigration a hot-button issue, TV stations that would ordinarily be out chasing house fires were eager to cover the meeting. Tejada made it very clear that as chairman, he'll continue his role as a vigorous defender of immigrants:
"While others were making scapegoats of immigrants and promoting divisive polices of exclusion," in 2007, J. Walter Tejada, the county's first Hispanic Chairman, said, "Arlington took a stand for justice and inclusion. This will not change in 2008."
In addition to continuing the county's commitment to diversity, Tejada put Arlington's environment and the need for more affordable housing at the top of his agenda.

So here's my question for RKers -- could a Hispanic-American immigrant win statewide office in Virginia?

Comments



Yes. Could (Sui Juris - 1/1/2008 6:26:17 PM)
Walter Tejada?  I don't think so.  I like the guy (and have voted for him), but I think his appeal would be limited to NoVA.

(Oh, and if we thought the Sun-Gazette was ridiculous before, just wait to see how they treat Tejada this year.)



Yeah (legacyofmarshall - 1/2/2008 9:38:43 AM)
I think I'd make a pretty good Lt. Governor.


Proud of Walter and Arlington (Doug in Mount Vernon - 1/3/2008 3:54:14 PM)
As a former resident back in '96, I am so proud of Arlington.  Walter is a genuinely nice guy, inclusive of everyone, and is not afraid to speak out and say the right thing (obviously).

I am pretty sure that many Virginians wouldn't give Walter or any elected immigrant the time of day, but those people wouldn't be voting for Democrats anyway.  If a Hispanic-American immigrant ran statewide, he or she would need to have near-perfect English, as I don't think many people would be comfortable with the idea of a Gov, Lt Gov, or Att Gen who speaks with an accent.  I mean, what are we, in NY, FL, or CA?  I would love to see it happen, but given the political winds, it may be a decade or so before this becomes feasible....

Maybe a gay or lesbian statewide elected official first?  Lol...