Original Article: La Opinión 10/15/2025 The path to winning Latino voters isn’t a mystery. It starts with investing in candidates. That’s what BOLD PAC has done for 24 years During Hispanic Heritage Month, we honor the generations of Latinos and Latinas who’ve shaped this country, often without the power, recognition, or resources we deserve. Our communities are foundational to this country’s success, and our leadership should be too. At CHC BOLD PAC–the political arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus–we know what it takes to win Latino voters because we’ve done it. While other campaigns lose ground, BOLD candidates outperform because we invest in candidates who can win. We proudly backed Senator Ruben Gallego, who earned overwhelming Latino support in Arizona. We stood with candidates like Rep. Maxwell Frost, Rep. Sam Liccardo, and Rep. Andrea Salinas through incredibly tough primaries, often winning against the odds. That’s why we’re all in for the next generation of Latina leaders who are ready to flip key Republican-held seats: Marlene Galán-Woods (AZ-01), JoAnna Mendoza (AZ-06), Denise Powell (NE-02), and Carol Obando-Derstine (PA-07). But too often, Latino leaders are told to wait their turn, or their lived experience isn’t quite the right fit, or that someone else is better suited to run. Even in districts powered by Latino voters, we see decisions made far from the communities most impacted. It’s a pattern we know too well, and it holds our country and our community back. The path to winning Latino voters isn’t a mystery. It starts with investing in candidates. That’s what BOLD PAC has done for 24 years, and that’s why we win with our community. If we want to reach Latino voters, we can’t start by sidelining the very leaders the community trusts. Because if investments are not in line with priorities, we risk losing ground in the very battlegrounds we can’t afford to. Hispanic Members and candidates have shown what’s possible when Latino leadership is uplifted. As Hispanic Heritage Month ends, let’s not just commit to reflect the country we live in, but to reflect the country we’re building. Democrat Rep. Linda Sánchez represents District 38 in California, which has a 61.70% Hispanic population. Sánchez is Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus BOLD PAC. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 2, 2025 Contact: valeria@chcboldpac.com CHC BOLD PAC’s Candidates Lead Charge to Flip the House and End Republican Dysfunction Chairwoman Linda Sánchez and battleground Latina candidates slam Republican-led shutdown and lay out path to Democratic majority Washington, D.C. – Today, BOLD PAC Chairwoman Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38) hosted a virtual press conference alongside a slate of Latina congressional candidates to call out the Republican government shutdown and spotlight the growing leadership of Latinas in the fight to flip the House. Democrats only need to flip 3 seats to take back the House. Marlene Galán-Woods (AZ-01), JoAnna Mendoza (AZ-06), Denise Powell (NE-02), Carol Obando-Derstine (PA-07) represent some of the most competitive races in the country – all in districts with sizable Latino populations – and are key to delivering that victory. WATCH THE VIDEO REMARKS HERE With Republicans bringing the government to a halt—jeopardizing health care for millions of Americans and stopping pay for federal workers—BOLD PAC’s Latina candidates made it clear: they’re stepping up to clean up the chaos. As Republicans like David Schweikert (AZ-01) and Don Bacon (NE-02) head for the exits, Latina candidates are stepping in to flip their seats and deliver stability, compassion, and common-sense leadership for their communities. “With Republicans shutting down the government, it’s women—especially Latina women—who are standing up and saying: enough,” said Chairwoman Linda T. Sánchez . “While Republicans are walking away from the mess they created, these women are ready to lead, ready to govern, and ready to flip the House.” CHC BOLD PAC Endorsed Candidates included Marlene Galán-Woods, Candidate for AZ-01 JoAnna Mendoza, Candidate for AZ-06 Denise Powell, Candidate for NE-02 Carol Obando-Derstine, Candidate for PA-07 Each candidate shared how the shutdown is impacting local families—from school lunch programs and SNAP benefits to housing assistance and small business loans—and how their lived experiences as women and moms drive their leadership priorities. “My parents fled Cuba to escape Fidel Castro in the sixties. They fled to come to the United States of America to experience freedoms to come for opportunity, and those are the same freedoms that Trump and Republicans are threatening,” said Marlene Galán-Woods, candidate for AZ-01 . “Health care for children, for our veterans, and for seniors is all at risk because MAGA Republicans, once again, chose to shut down the government instead of protecting Americans' health care. It's shameful. So let's be clear, Republicans own this shutdown. I am so proud to be part of this powerhouse group of Latina candidates backed by BOLD PAC. Let's flip this seat. Let's win back the House of Representatives.” “As a Marine Corps drill instructor, I had the honor of making the next generation of Marines. I know what servant leadership looks like. The only thing scarier than a United States Marine is a mom, and I am both,” said JoAnna Mendoza, candidate for AZ-06 . “The oath I took to defend this country does not expire, and I will not sit back while spineless politicians play games with our lives. I will fight to protect health care, lower costs, and deliver for working families across southern Arizona. That's why I am answering the call to serve again.” “Washington Republicans have made one thing very clear: they’d rather shut down the government than make sure that the people here in my district and Americans all across the country can afford health care. This is completely reckless, and here in my state, that's almost 100,000 people who are going to lose their coverage or have their insurance premiums double,” said Denise Powell, candidate for NE-02. “I'm a fired-up mom that is running for Congress because our communities are really hurting right now, and they deserve better than this mess that Republicans have created for us in DC.” “Our families are already paying the price for this Republican shutdown. Monthly healthcare premiums are rising, and the average enrollee is seeing an increase in premium costs. But here’s the thing, I don't walk away from a challenge. I've cleaned up messes before, and I approach issues head-on,” said Carol Obando-Derstine, candidate for PA-07 . “When I get to Congress, I'll never forget who I'm there to serve. We only need to flip three seats to take back the House in 2026 with the support of CHC BOLD PAC and this powerful slate of Latina candidates. I'm ready to clean house and deliver real results for our district.” BOLD PAC will continue highlighting Latina and Latino leadership across battleground districts, with an aggressive bilingual press and digital strategy focused on cutting through MAGA disinformation and reaching the Latino voters who will decide control of the House in 2026. ###