Latino Group Endorses Gingrich, Takes a Swipe at Romney

A Republican Latino group that pushes for immigration reform has put its weight behind Newt Gingrich for the GOP’s nomination for the White House.

Somos Republicans, which claims to be the largest group of Hispanic GOP supporters, issued a statement Monday saying that it is endorsing the former House speaker because he “knows the importance of the Latino community.

“Fifty million Latinos comprise 16 per cent of our country’s population today. Half of our country’s population growth in the next 20 years will be generated by the growth in the Latino population. Latinos have become a key driver of our nation’s future,” the group’s statement said.

“While the other candidates seem oblivious to this fact, Newt Gingrich has been working hard for many years to include American Hispanics in the overall conversation for a better America.”

Somos also lamented that Jon Huntsman had quit the race because “he took a humanitarian approach in supporting children via the Federal DREAM Act.

“We are disappointed in learning that Huntsman will support Mitt Romney, which is unfortunate because Romney takes a non-humanitarian approach to the DREAM Act and legal immigration reform.”

The Arizona-based group pointed out that Romney says he will veto the DREAM Act. “Therefore, Somos Republicans will veto Romney at the polls.”