Las Vegas NowSpanish-Language Newspaper in Las Vegas Endorses Clinton

Spanish-Language Newspaper in Las Vegas Endorses Clinton

A prominent Spanish language newspaper in southern Nevada plans to endorse Hillary Rodham Clinton for president, the publisher said Thursday.

El Mundo publisher Eddie Escobedo says the endorsement will appear in Friday's edition of the 35,500-circulation, free weekly.

El Mundo is the oldest and most politically engaged Spanish paper in Nevada, where Hispanics make up nearly 25 percent of the population but a far smaller portion of the electorate. The group will be closely watched in Nevada Democrats' Jan. 19 presidential caucus.

Escobedo, who said he feels "a loyalty to the Clintons," had previously announced his personal support for the New York senator. A vote by the paper's editorial staff was 4-2 for Clinton over New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, he said.

Escobedo described the choice not to endorse Richardson as difficult. The governor and former U.N. ambassador grew up in Mexico, often campaigns in Spanish and has aggressively tried to
organize supporters in Las Vegas' Hispanic community.

"We went along with Clinton because of her background," he said, citing her years as first lady of Arkansas and the U.S., and extensive travel. "She knows the people, she could negotiate any deal."

Southern Nevada's other major Spanish-langauge weekly, El Tiempo, does not plan to endorse a candidate for president, said Geoff Schumacher, director of community publications. The paper has a circulation of 50,000 and is published by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, part of the Stephens Media.

The Clinton campaign touted the endorsement on a conference call with Nevada supporters Thursday. Campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle also announced the opening of new field offices in southwest and northern Las Vegas, bringing the total in the state to six.
   
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)