Ruben Gallego, Chicano Murals, Latinx
A weekly newsletter dedicated to Mexican American news, politics, and commentary.
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A DEMOCRAT STAR IS BORN?
Ruben Gallego has emerged as one of the most influential figures in Arizona politics, securing a decisive victory in the 2024 Senate race and solidifying his status as a rising star in the Democratic Party.
Known for his outspoken advocacy on issues like veterans' rights, climate change, and immigration reform, Gallego’s success represents a significant shift in Arizona's political landscape.
After years of building a reputation as a fierce advocate for progressive causes in the U.S. House of Representatives, his victory has many seeing him as a key figure for the state’s future.
Gallego, who represented Arizona’s 7th Congressional District since 2014, made his mark with a combination of military service, strong ties to Arizona’s Latino community, and a bold, unapologetic approach to policy.
His Senate run against incumbent Kyrsten Sinema, who had switched her affiliation to independent, was seen as a pivotal moment for both the state and the party.
OPINION: WHY CHICANOS REJECT “LATINX”
Nobody has pushed back against the label “Latinx” harder and louder than self-identified Chicanos. And for a good reason. Mexican American history runs long and deep in the United States. Chicanos are proud of this history. They are proud of this heritage. As a result, many are defensive and protective of it, particularly when it comes to anything that might erase or gloss over it.
It was, after all, Mexican Americans who fought sailors in the streets of Los Angeles during the Zoot Suit Riots. It was Mexican Americans who were rounded up by the hundreds during World War 2. It was Mexican Americans who marched in the streets of East L.A. during the Vietnam War. It was the Southwestern portion of the United States that once belonged to Mexico.
This is Chicano history, not “Latinx” history.
Nonetheless, this hasn’t stopped some people from suggesting there is a parallel between “Chicano” and “Latinx.” The comparison, however, is flawed. At its heart, “Chicano” is a widely embraced, working class social and political identity. On the contrary, “Latinx” is elitist jargon that the working class largely rejects. It is the polar opposite of “Chicano.” It is the language of the intelligentsia and bourgeoise.
“Latinx” is feel good psychobabble. “Chicano” is the decades-long culmination of suffering, expression, and rebellion. They aren’t built the same. Pretending otherwise is rhetorical cosplay.
OPINION: BLAME EXTREMISM, NOT PRONOUNS
Democrats supposedly lost because of pronouns, drag queens, DEI, CRT, and all that mess. This is the narrative line making the rounds: Blame it on “woke.” Harris never used the word “woke” on the campaign nor made a public issue of pronouns. It’s not even a thing. Right wing pundits and their echo chambers made “woke” a political boogeyman.
Also, how “Latinos” pushed Trump over the line. More news outlets are looking at Latinos to blame. One Latino Trumper after another is being pushed into the spotlight. Why not talk to those Latinos who went for Harris? Even the exit polls showed most so-called Latinos went against Trump. Breaking this down further, voters of Mexican descent went 60 percent against Trump; voters of Cuban descent were about the same percentage FOR Trump. As we’ve said repeatedly—so-called Latinos are not a monolith.
Whites elected Trump. Not Latinos.
The Black vote in the exit polls went 80 percent against Trump, the most cohesive section of the electorate. White (men and women) went mostly for Trump. Remember whites are the largest percentage of the electorate (67 percent). Blacks are 11 percent. So-called Latinos make up only 7.4 percent of the electorate. Black and Latino together are only 18.4 percent of voters. Even if all those people voted and went for Harris, they would not have beaten the white Trump voters.
WILL YOU HELP SUPPORT CHICANO MEDIA?
At The Daily Chela, we believe that every story matters and that diverse perspectives are crucial in shaping a more informed community. Our mission is to provide a platform for Chicano and Latino voices, share vital stories from our community, and cover news with the depth and context it deserves.
But we can’t do this without you. Independent media relies on the support of people like you to continue our work. Your subscription is not just a donation—it’s an investment in the future of informed, diverse, and truthful journalism.
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Make a Monthly Contribution of only $5.99: Your financial support will help us cover operational costs, pay our dedicated team, and expand our reach to more readers.
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Thank you for your support and for believing in the power of independent media. We have come a long ways this past year. Together, we can make sure that every voice is heard and every story is told.
NEWS: SANTA ANA TO RESTORE HISTORIC CHICANO MURALS
Santa Ana is taking action to preserve its iconic murals, which are among the largest and most significant collections in Southern California.
Rooted in the Chicano movement of the 1960s, they have long been a symbol of the city’s cultural identity. But over the years, many murals—especially those along Civic Center Drive—have been damaged, faded, or painted over.
The push to restore these murals gained momentum when local activists, including City Councilmember Johnathan Hernandez, began advocating for their preservation.
Hernandez, who had campaigned on protecting Santa Ana's mural heritage, discovered that the wall hosting the murals was public property, providing a key legal foundation for the restoration effort.
With this in hand, the Artesia Pilar Neighborhood applied for and successfully secured a city art grant to fund the restoration. Community members also pitched in with additional donations, raising enough money to get the project off the ground.
PODCAST: HOW VOTING COALITIONS ARE CHANGING
What can we learn from this past election? In this excerpt, Brandon sits down with political stratagist Mike Madrid (author of “The Latino Century”) to break down the electoral map, and explore how Trump built a diverse coalition of voters to pull off a landslide victory.
Is there anything Democrats can do to better prepare themselves for the 2026 midterms? Topics include: The Latino vote, the youth vote, swing states, the gender gap, and more.
POLITICS: REPUBLICAN GONZALEZ TO FLIP CA DISTRICT
As the race for a crucial Coachella Valley legislative district intensifies, Republican candidate Jeff Gonzalez has steadily expanded his lead over Democrat Joey Acuña, signaling a potential shift in the district's political alignment.
The seat, currently held by veteran Democratic legislator Eduardo Garcia, is up for grabs after Garcia announced he would not seek re-election this year.
Garcia, who has represented the district for several terms, endorsed Acuña, the president of the Coachella Valley Unified School District board, as his successor.
In the wake of the primary election, Gonzalez and Acuña emerged as the top contenders, with Gonzalez, a former Marine and Indio resident, holding a growing advantage.
The district spans across Indio, Coachella, and several smaller communities surrounding the Salton Sea, including all of Imperial County and parts of Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Gonzalez, whose campaign website highlights his 20 years of military service—including tours in Afghanistan, Iraq, and diplomatic security missions in Honduras and the Czech Republic—promises to tackle issues such as rising inflation and education reform.
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BECOME A SUBSCRIBER
At The Daily Chela, we believe that every story matters and that diverse perspectives are crucial in shaping a more informed community. Our mission is to provide a platform for Chicano and Latino voices, share vital stories from our community, and cover news with the depth and context it deserves.
But we can’t do this without you. We rely on the support of readers to continue our work. Your subscription is not just a donation—it’s an investment in the future of indie media.
Here’s how you can help:
Make a Monthly Contribution of only $5.99: Your financial support will help us cover operational costs, pay our dedicated team, and expand our reach to more readers.
To subscribe or donate, simply click on the “upgrade to paid” button.
Thank you for your support and for believing in the power of independent media. Together, we can make sure that every voice is heard and every story is told.