Week # Air Date

All across the country Latinos are involved in the political process as never before, not only as registered voters but also as candidates for office. For some observers this election cycle is the banner year for Latino candidates. Hispanics are running for office at all levels, from the local school boards, to the U.S. Senate, to governor. However, some political veterans caution that while Latinos have come far, especially this year, they still have a long way to go. From Washington, Lakshmi Singh reports.

In Texas, businessman Tony Sanchez has spent more than $60 million of his own money in an attempt to wrest the governorship from Republican Rick Perry. And Ron Kirk, the former mayor of Dallas and African American Democrat, is in a competitive race for us senate against Attorney General John Cornyn. But the national Democratic and Republican parties are focusing much of their attention on one South Texas congressional race pitting Latino against Latino. From Laredo, Texas Latino USA's Alex Avila reports that the race between incumbent Republican Henry Bonilla and his Democratic challenger, former Texas Secretary of State Henry Cuellar, has Washington D.C. watching closely.

New Mexico is virtually assured of a Latino governor for the next four years. Former Energy Secretary Bill Richardson and former New Mexico State Legislator John Sanchez will face-off next month for that states governor's seat. The race is gaining national attention. But, while most states don't have long records of electing Latino officials, New Mexico has tradition of Hispanic leadership older than the state itself. From Albuquerque Leslie Clark has more.

Filipinos share with Mexicans the tradition of celebrating the Day of the Dead in early November. But as commentator Wilma Consul observes Filipinos would rather commemorate than celebrate their loved ones who've passed away.