Hispanic Republican to run in same congressional district as Democrats’ Great Hispanic Hope

Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012 | 8:03 a.m.

Two things are immediately interesting about Mike Rodrigues, who later this morning will enter the race for Rep. Shelley Berkley's seat.

One, he's Hispanic. And, two, he's a Republican.

Rodrigues has almost no chance to win, but some GOP sources think he can have an impact in the overwhelmingly Democratic district that has been noteworthy because of the Democratic primary between ex-Rep. Dina Titus and state Sen. Ruben Kihuen, whose candidacy Democrats hope to use as a Hispanic turnout magnet.

Said one GOP strategist: "Obviously no Republican will win that district but it is someone that Republicans will be able to register voters around and perhaps make it more difficult/expensive for Obama to run up the score with Hispanics in CD1."

Rodrigues has been an elementary school principal in the Clark County School District for a dozen years (now at Estes McDoniel) and is now on the University of Phoenix faculty in Las Vegas. His credentials seem to make him credible. We will soon see whether his candidacy helps Republicans make the Democrats work harder in CD1 and whether that is a plus or minus (I suppose it could just energize MORE Democratic turnout) as the season goes on.