Political implications of Sotomayor’s confirmation in Nevada

Sonia Sotomayor was confirmed by the Senate for elevation to Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court by a vote of 68-31. It was historic in that she is the first Hispanic female to attain the position. What, if anything, will that mean in the landscape of Nevada politics?

Senator John Ensign

Nevada’s junior Senator John Ensign voted against Sotomayor’s confirmation.

“While I believe Judge Sotomayor is an impressive role model for millions of Americans, I take my responsibility as Nevada’s Senator very seriously, and feel I need to protect the sanctity of our Constitution,” Ensign said in a statement.

“Judge Sotomayor’s record and testimony provide uncertainty and doubt that she will rule with a fair and impartial adherence to the rule of law. I feel she has given no assurances that the Second Amendment is an individual, fundamental right — a right I believe is central to the Constitution. I believe she has demonstrated a propensity to rule with purpose-driven results and has indicated a particular interest in international standards or laws to decide U.S. constitutional questions.

“Therefore, I respectfully oppose her nomination.” [Reno Gazette-Journal]

Somehow the rebuke of Sotomayor clashes with Ensign’s earlier statement quoted in The Hill. “Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.), who last year oversaw the Senate Republican campaign committee, said Republicans hashed out the need to reverse their slide in support among Hispanics. ‘It was discussed big time,’ said Ensign. “We have to reach out to Hispanics. We need to go on Hispanic media much more.’” [The Hill]

Then, last January America’s Voice, an Hispanic website, wrote, “Remember that change of heart in Republican leadership following the 2008 elections, when Latino voters turned out in record numbers to vote for Democratic candidates? A number of notable Republican leaders and strategists had taken a stand and declared that the Party’s handling of immigration had been deeply flawed and politically costly.”

“Senator John Ensign (R-NV), former chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, who was quoted in The Hill saying: ‘We have to reach out to Hispanics.’”

“As reported by National Public Radio today,  Sen. Ensign and other Republicans are voicing strong opposition to provisions in the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) bill that would allow legal immigrant children to access health care without a five year waiting period.  His colleagues, Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT), have already filed amendments to gut the provisions.”

“It is deeply troubling that, at a time of great national need, politicians seem to be playing politics with kids’ lives. Almost as distressing is how quickly the GOP forgot the lesson they’d supposedly just learned.”

Dean Heller

Nevada’s sole Republican Representative, Dean Heller, Nevada’s Congressional District #2, isn’t helping Nevada Republicans any. He pushed for measures to deny health care to illegal immigrants and their children and wrote legislation mandating English-only ballots. See HR764. [Las Vegas Sun]

Congressional District #2 is the third largest land area in the country. It has a population of 666, 087. It includes all Nevada counties but one. [Dean Heller] In 2008, John McCain only won the district by 88 votes out of 335,720 votes cast, over Democrat Barack Obama. [Wikipedia]

Political Support of GOP by Hispanics Eroding Away

Will the opposition of the GOP to Hispanic interests result in further damage to Nevada’s Republican Party? It remains to be seen. However, it is difficult to perceive it will help Nevada Republicans. According to the Nevada Secretary of State’s website as of June 2009, there were 158,320 Democrats; 180,379 Republicans, 62,937 Non-Partisans and 18,714 Independent American registered in CD2. The 2007 Census estimate shows that about 20% of the Nevada population is Hispanic. [Wikipedia]

If the GOP continues to drive the Hispanics away as they have been they are in danger of losing what little Hispanic political support they have. Most Hispanics appear to be gravitating into the Democratic Party, which is much more sensitive to their interests.

Related posts:

1. Ensign votes against Sotomayor’s confirmation
2. Ensign is in a bind
3. The Republican vote on Sotomayor dilemma
4. Ensign votes Naye on Sotomayor
5. The Sotomayor Vote