- President James Madison
Candidates
Immigrants’ List selects candidates based on their beliefs and their desire to actively pursue immigration reform once in Congress. Immigrants’ List works to ensure that pro-immigration reform candidates in competitive districts are not afraid to work for meaningful reform. Have a candidate you’d like us to look into? E-mail us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
2010 House Candidates
Joseph Cao (LA-02)
Rep. Joseph Cao, who fled Vietnam at age 8, was elected to Congress in 2008. Cao, an immigration attorney, has worked as an advocate for refugees and as legal counsel for an organization that helps poor Vietnamese and other minorities. He co-sponsored the American Dream Act (H.R. 1751), which would help children of undocumented workers attend college.
Rep. Gerry Connolly (VA-11)
Rep. Gerry Connolly was elected in 2008 to represent parts of suburban Washington, D.C. Before serving in Congress, Connolly chaired the Fairfax County board of supervisors and successfully opposed legislative measures passed by neighboring counties to crack down on illegal immigration. Connolly’s 2010 race will likely be a rematch with his 2008 opponent, Keith Fimian, who backs an enforcement-only approach to immigration.
Raj Goyle (KS-04)
Raj Goyle, who defeated a three-term state representative in 2006 and was re-elected in 2008 with 67 percent of the vote, is vying for this open House seat. Goyle worked on post-9/11 immigration issues as a staff attorney at the ACLU of Maryland before returning home to Kansas to run for the state legislature.
Bill Hedrick (CA-44)
Bill Hedrick is seeking a rematch of his close 2008 race against nine-term Rep. Ken Calvert, who backs an enforcement-only approach to immigration. The American Immigration Lawyers Association consistently gives Calvert its lowest possible rating. Hedrick supports a path to citizenship for undocumented working immigrants.
Rep. Jim Himes (CT-04)
Rep. Jim Himes defeated an 11-term incumbent in 2008. Six challengers are vying for the opportunity to take back this seat from Himes, who has called U.S. immigration policy “dysfunctional and shameful.” Himes supports a practical and humane approach to comprehensive immigration reform and a path to citizenship, which includes documenting the country’s estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants.
Rep. Betsy Markey (CO-04)
Rep. Betsy Markey, who defeated a three-term incumbent in 2008, says the current immigration system is in crisis and believes the debate over real immigration reform should be defined by civility rather than rhetoric. Several high-profile challengers who support an enforcement-only approach to immigration have already announced their candidacies for this race.
Rep. Scott Murphy (NY-20)
Rep. Scott Murphy narrowly defeated the state assembly’s minority leader in the March 2009 special election that followed Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand’s appointment to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. With a margin of victory of only 726 votes, Murphy’s race is likely to be extremely competitive.
Rep. Tom Perriello (VA-05)
Rep. Tom Perriello defeated a six-term congressman in 2008 by 745 votes. Seven candidates are vying to challenge Perriello, who helped found two nonprofit organizations that promote human rights and social justice. He also has worked to peacefully end conflicts in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Darfur and Afghanistan.
Rep. Mike Quigley (IL-05)
Rep. Mike Quigley won the April 2009 special election to replace Rep. Rahm Emanuel, who resigned to become President Barack Obama’s chief of staff. Quigley supports comprehensive immigration reform as well as a path to citizenship for the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants currently in the United States. He co-sponsored the American Dream Act, which would help children of undocumented workers attend college.
Rep. Harry Teague (NM-02)
Rep. Harry Teague, who was elected in 2008, faces a challenge from the congressman who formerly held this seat. Teague is vocal in his support for comprehensive immigration reform. He favors a comprehensive path to citizenship and wants to work toward a more efficient system that allows for an increased number of legal immigrants.
Rep. Dina Titus (NV-03)
Rep. Dina Titus, a former college professor who taught government for 30 years, defeated a three-term congressman in 2008. Prior to her election to Congress, Titus served 20 years in the state Senate, including 15 years as minority leader. Titus is seen as a supporter of comprehensive immigration reform, while her opponent favors an enforcement-only approach.
Previous Candidates
Immigrants’ List has endorsed candidates since 2004. Endorsements from these election cycles have been archived on a separate page.
