Latino Elected Officials Urge Schwarzenegger to Join Angelides, Agree to Participate in Spanish-Language Debate

SACRAMENTO, CA - California State Senator Gil Cedillo, Assemblyman Hector De La Torre and Assemblyman Juan Arambula today called on Arnold Schwarzenegger to hold a Spanish-language gubernatorial debate with Phil Angelides this month. The leaders joined together to urge Schwarzenegger to hold a debate that would be conducted in English, simultaneously translated into Spanish and aired on a Spanish language television station. 

According to the Public Policy Institute of California's August 2005 survey, one in three Californians or 12 million residents is Latino, and 15 percent of likely voters in California are Latino. 

"Latino voters should have every opportunity to hear from the candidates for Governor and I applaud Treasurer Angelides for agreeing to participate in a Spanish-language debate," said Cedillo. "Now, it's time for Governor Schwarzenegger to come forward and debate the issues."

Angelides has previously agreed to a Spanish-language debate with Schwarzenegger and conducted a Spanish-language debate with his Democratic primary opponent. Angelides has also accepted nine additional debate invitations from news organizations to participate in English-language debates with Schwarzenegger. To date, Schwarzenegger has refused to accept any debate invitations.

"Conducting a Spanish-language debate will bring more voters to the polls and help encourage every Californian to participate in this critical election," said De La Torre. "It is time for Governor Schwarzenegger to stop ignoring Latino voters and defend his record before this important part of the electorate."