|
Hispanic LA mayor backs Clinton
30/05/2007 12:43 - (SA)
Los Angeles - US Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton received backing on Tuesday in her 2008 presidential bid from the mayor of Los Angeles, a figurehead for the significant Hispanic section of the electorate.
The New York senator, a front runner for the Democratic Party's nomination, is "the right candidate at the right time", said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
He said: "The candidates running for president on the Democratic ticket have a breadth and depth of experience that I haven't seen in the years that I've been involved.
"But I'm supporting Senator Clinton because I think her experience, strength and leadership is what we need in our nation right now."
Villaraigosa, born here to a Mexican immigrant family, is a popular figure among the city's vast Hispanic community, which accounts for nearly a quarter of Los Angeles' four million inhabitants.
Hispanics are also the biggest minority in the United States, making up about 14% of the population.
Clinton faces challenges for the Democratic nomination from another popular Hispanic figure, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, who was born to a Mexican mother, as well as her closest rival, African-American Senator Barack Obama.
Villaraigosa once worked with former US president Bill Clinton, husband of Hillary. However, he denied he was aiming to run for a job in her potential presidency.
"I'm not looking for a title," he said. "I'm looking to help elect the next president of the United States."
|
News
