After months of tirelessly mobilizing voters to support JoCasta Zamarripa in the 8th Assembly District, VDLF Action is proud to celebrate Zamarripa’s win in Tuesday’s primary election.
This victory will make Zamarripa the first Latina representative in the history of the Wisconsin state legislature. Zamarripa, who won with 53% of the district vote, is a grassroots organizer who supports Voces de la Frontera Action’s legislative goals of drivers’ cards for immigrants and in-state tuition rates for immigrant students.
Zamarripa stated on Tuesday in front her supporters: “I am humbled and honored that the voters of the 8th Assembly District have decided that I will be the Democratic nominee for the 8th State Assembly District…Over the last three and half months, I have had the great opportunity to hit the pavement and talk to voters one-on-one at their doors. The voters have truly defined the issues that shaped my campaign and these voters will shape the issues that I will fight for as the next State Representative.”
One of those voters is Pedro Perez, a student leader with Youth Empowered in the Struggle (YES) who was recently naturalized as a US citizen. He voted for the first time in Tuesday’s primary.
“I volunteered my time with Voces Action because I’m excited to be able to vote not just for myself, but for immigrant students who’ve been denied the opportunity to do the same,” Perez said.
Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director of Voces de la Frontera Action, commended Zamarippa on her victory, saying “This is a victory for Milwaukee’s Southside working class families who face tough times in an uncertain economy. Voces de la Frontera Action members will work closely will JoCasta Zamarripa to ensure that in 2011, the rights of workers and immigrant families have a strong voice in the state legislature.”
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