The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce endorsed presidential candidates John Kasich and Hillary Clinton on Thursday, citing the White House hopefuls’ commitments to America’s small business and Hispanic communities.
“Governor Kasich understands that sustainable economic growth is needed in order to allow the American people an opportunity to succeed, regardless of background,” USHCC President Javier Palomarez said in a statement.
According to the nation’s leading Hispanic business organization, the two-term Ohio governor “understands that the Hispanic community is not monolithic” and has a proven record of advocating policies that “foster economic growth.”
The group also cited Kasich’s ability to unify Americans as a factor in their endorsement, while claiming that his opponent Donald Trump has sent a “clear message” that he “does not stand with [the Hispanic] community.”
On the Democratic side, the group chose to back Clinton because she’s already “stood with the USHCC and the Hispanic community at-large for decades.”
“Secretary Clinton’s views on issues important to America’s small business community are simply far more qualifying than the empty rhetoric and lackluster record of Senator Bernie Sanders,” Palomarez said.
He continued, “From registering Hispanic voters in south Texas as a college student — to helping raise education standards in one of the poorest states in America as First Lady of Arkansas — to strengthening diplomatic and commercial ties around the globe for American small business owners as Secretary of State, Clinton has always stood by our community.”
Palomarez claims that Clinton’s platform contains a “robust and pragmatic policy agenda” that will spur economic growth and prosperity in Hispanic small business communities.
Earlier this year, the USHCC endorsed New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro for their Republican and Democratic vice presidential picks.
