Kentucky lawmaker urges Hispanic voters to support Trump in convention speech
State Sen. Ralph Alvarado used his spot in prime time Wednesday night at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland to urge Hispanic voters to support Donald Trump for president.
Alvarado, a Winchester physician who joined the Kentucky Senate in January 2015, is the only Hispanic ever elected to the state’s legislature. He talked about his parents legally immigrating to America, and spoke briefly in Spanish to urge voters to support Trump’s bid for the White House.
“At their core, Hispanics believe what Republicans believe: traditional family values, church, faith in God, the dignity of work, and the opportunity for self-sufficiency that comes from a free society and a limited government,” he said. “They have simple dreams that might seem mundane to the average American, but would sound familiar to our founding fathers and their core principles.”
Alvarado also criticized President Barack Obama in his remarks and referred to his “apprentice,” Democrat Hillary Clinton.
“Hillary Clinton, you failed the Hispanic community, and you don’t deserve our vote,” he said.
"Senator Alvarado made Kentucky proud tonight and I'm glad that America got to see this impressive leader in action," Kentucky U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell said after Alvarado's speech. "He has a bright future in the Republican Party."
In a telephone interview prior to the speech, Alvarado said he hoped that his six-minute talk at the GOP convention would give all voters “a little glimpse of my life and shows how the Republican Party is the one best equipped to restore American values and restore the American dream.”
Trump was Alvarado’s third choice this year for president. The Kentucky lawmaker first backed U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Bowling Green and then supported U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida. In the interview, Alvarado, 46, said he stands by Trump’s views on immigration.
“The ‘wall’ doesn’t bother me in the least,” he said. “Trump wants to keep out illegals. So do I. We both want to secure our borders. We both are for legal immigration and helping people who sincerely want to do good.”
This story was originally published July 20, 2016 at 9:22 PM with the headline "Kentucky lawmaker urges Hispanic voters to support Trump in convention speech."