Democrats Clinton, Sanders Promise to Include Latinos in Cabinet

Democratic presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders vowed to nominate Latinos into key cabinet posts in their administrations if elected, according to their answers to a questionnaire organized by the nation’s largest Latino coalition.

The 20-question survey was submitted by the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA) to all presidential candidates on Feb. 25, but received responses only from the two Democratic contenders and none from the Republicans, according to the results reviewed by Reuters.

“From special assistants to cabinet members, Latinos will play a key role in helping to shape my policy priorities and be effectively represented in our agencies,” former Secretary of State Clinton wrote.

Sanders promised to make his administration “reflect the diverse makeup of the country… I can think of no place more vital for such diversity than in the cabinet and the Senior Executive Service of the president of the United States of America.”

Both have already promised comprehensive immigration reform, appealing to Hispanic voters ahead of presidential nominating contests in minority-heavy states. Leading Republican hopefuls Donald Trump and Senator Ted Cruz of Texas have promised to tighten up the borders and deport undocumented immigrants.

The responses come as the Democratic contest for the party’s presidential nomination is poised to roll into a slate of diverse states – including New York later this month and minority-heavy California in June.

Latinos and African-Americans have emerged as key voting blocs so far this election, helping boost Clinton ahead of the senator in the race for pledged delegates so far.

The NHLA will use the questionnaires to guide voter engagement ahead of the November election, and to hold the winner to promises made during the campaign, said Hector Sanchez, the chairman of the NHLA.

“This is not just a piece of paper that we’re going to put out there,” Sanchez said. “If they want the Latino vote, they must engage with us.”