Hispanics in Congress aren’t lining up behind guv

You might assume that, since he’s such a prominent Hispanic and a former colleague, Gov. Bill Richardson’s presidential run would have the support of the majority of Hispanic members of the House of Representatives.

That isn’t the case, at least yet.

The Washington publication Roll Call, in an article published today, explains why a number of Hispanic members of Congress aren’t necessarily supporters of the governor’s presidential run, even though he spent 15 years in the House.

In a story you can only view if you have a subscription (click here if you do), the publication reports that Richardson “has made no major outreach efforts in recent months” to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Richardson’s deputy campaign manager, Amanda Cooper, told Roll Call that’s because the governor isn’t focused on endorsements right now, and is instead focused on grassroots campaigning

Another factor, Roll Call reports, is that a number of members pledged support to other candidates before Richardson announced on Jan. 21 that he is running.

Reps. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., and Charlie Gonzalez, D-Texas, for example, have already pledged their support for John Edwards.

About half of the 19 members active in the caucus have endorsed candidates, but only one, Rep. Ed Pastor, D-Ariz., has picked Richardson, Roll Call reports. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, has donated $1,000 to Richardson’s campaign, but has not issued an endorsement.

“Bill’s got the most experience of anyone I’ve seen,” Reyes told Roll Call. “I get a chance to talk to him fairly frequently. … He’s been a good friend and neighbor.”

The reality is also that many want to keep their options open. With the 2008 race starting so early, this is a game with a lot of uncertainty.