ABSTRACT
California presents a prime example of the changing political potency of Hispanics. It was estimated in 1992 that Hispanics composed 25.8 percent of California's population; thus they could be expected to frequently contest statewide positions. California's one Hispanic governor succeeded to the office temporarily in the late 1800s. Only four times since 1900 has a Hispanic managed to win a nomination for statewide office, and three of those lost. Even though Hispanics compose the second-largest minority in the US and are expected to become the largest minority sometime early in the twenty-first century, the Hispanic population is concentrated in only a few states. New Mexico, admitted to the Union in 1912, undoubtedly has to be considered the "best" state for Hispanics overall in exercising their political power. The winner, for lieutenant governor, most likely signals—along with their increased voter participation—that California will lead the nation during the next decade in showing how Hispanics will flex their political muscle power.
