HNBA DISMAYED BY GEORGIA SENATOR’S WITHDRAWAL OF SUPPORT FOR LATINO JUDGE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Daniel Herrera
January 22, 2016 T: 202-930-6805
E: dherrera@rabengroup.com
HNBA Dismayed By Georgia Senator’s Withdrawal of Support for Latino Judge
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) expressed its deep concerns over the withdrawal of support for Judge Dax Lopez of Georgia by United States Senator David Perdue, whose early support was key in encouraging President Obama to nominate a rare Republican to a lifetime federal judgeship. Senator Perdue’s withdrawal of support for Judge Lopez appears to be because of Lopez’s service with the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials.
“It is hard to fathom that we are in an era of such animosity that a judicial nominee’s participation in a trade association of bipartisan Latino elected officials is problematic to a U.S. Senator”, said HNBA National President Robert Maldonado, “Judge Lopez is qualified, experienced and well supported by a broad range of professionals for this judgeship. No one seems to be questioning his bona fides. We find it difficult to see how his association with GALEO can be somehow disqualifying. Our only inference is that he’s unacceptable to Senator Perdue because he is a Latino who believes in Latino participatory democracy. The HNBA will meet with Senator Perdue to get clarification on his withdrawal of support.”
The HNBA endorsement process is among the most rigorous of any national association. With dozens of professionals endorsed, successfully nominated and confirmed by the Senate, the HNBA has great confidence in the professionalism of our endorsees. The HNBA has endorsed the nomination of Judge Lopez.
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About the Hispanic National Bar Association: The Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) is an incorporated, not-for-profit, national membership association that represents the interests of Hispanic attorneys, judges, law professors, legal assistants, law students, and legal professionals in the United States and its territories. Since 1972, the HNBA has acted as a force for positive change within the legal profession by creating opportunities for Hispanic lawyers and by helping generations of lawyers to succeed. The HNBA has also effectively advocated on issues of importance to the national Hispanic community. While we are proud of our accomplishments, we are mindful that our mission is as vital today as it was four decades ago, especially as the U.S. Hispanic population continues to grow.