Latino Representation in the House Drops Despite Historic Wins

While the U.S. Senate is set to achieve a historic increase in Latino representation next year, Hispanic representation in the 119th U.S. Congress will decrease slightly, dropping from 48 to 45. Despite this decline, the upcoming term includes significant milestones for Latino lawmakers nationwide.

Among the incumbents, 40 won their re-election bids, while four lost their seats, according to a new analysis from the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO). Notably, Luz Rivas and Gil Cisneros, both Democrats from California, secured seats being vacated by retiring members. Rivas will replace Rep. Tony Cardenas, D-Calif., while Cisneros will succeed Rep. Grace Napolitano, D-Calif.

In New Jersey, Nellie Pou made history as the first Latina to represent the state in Congress. The Democratic state senator replaced the late Rep. Bill Pascrell on the ballot and defeated her Republican opponent, Billy Prempeh, in New Jersey's 9th District race.

Colorado also saw a historic shift. Republican Gabe Evans narrowly defeated freshman Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Colo., in a heavily Hispanic district. Evans becomes the state's first Latino Republican elected to a full term in Congress.

Washington and California celebrated breakthroughs as well. State Senator Emily Randall became the first out queer Latina elected to represent Washington's 6th District, while former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo became the first Latino to represent a Northern California congressional district in over 120 years.

Arturo Vargas of NALEO acknowledged the bittersweet results, saying, "although Latino seats in the U.S. House of Representatives decreased, Latino candidates on both sides of the aisle made history in this election cycle."

The upcoming Congress will include 52 Latino members across both chambers: the U.S. Senate will see a historic increase in Latino representation next year, rising from five to seven members. Despite the record numbers, Latino representation in the Senate remains disproportionately low compared to the nearly 20% of Latinos in the U.S. population.