Assemblywoman spreads her wings, starts regional PAC to help Latino candidates

Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012 | 2:21 p.m.

Assemblywoman Lucy Flores, having obliterated a primary opponent put up by political rivals and thriving as a Team Obama surrogate, recently set up a PAC designed to help elect Latino candidates in the Southwest.

The Impacto Fund, registered last week with the secretary of state, is a byproduct of discussions Flores, a one-term assemblywoman in a safe Democratic district, had with lawmakers from other states. Or, as she told me when I asked her about it via email: " It is starting out as a regional effort to build pipeline development for Latino elected officials in order to address the underrepresentation of Latinos in elected office. These are not unlike other efforts from Republican-affiliated groups who help support and develop strong Latino candidates as they pursue elected office. I am working with legislators from CA, AZ, CO and TX to help build the PAC and then identify strong candidates in those states who we can support."

Many political observers would put the word "ambitious" before Flores' name. She frequently attends networking conferences to build relationships. She clashed with leadership during Session '11. And her drive and smarts are hard to deny.

I don't think she wants to be speaker next session. But part of the leadership team? I think so.

This PAC is evidence that adjective is well placed.