Republicans turn to the Libre Initiative in an attempt to reach Latino voters

What is the Libre Initiative?

Republican presidential hopefuls have turned to the Libre Initiative to reach out to America's Latinos, but what is the Libre Initiative and how can it help sway Hispanics toward the GOP?

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Republicans have tried several times to sway the votes of American Latinos, but have always failed. This year, several Republican presidential candidates have appealed to Libre Initiative leaders, with Florida Governor Jeb Bush ready to address the group on Wednesday in Las Vegas.

Libre is a nonprofit organization that can legally raise as much money as it wants and is not required to disclose its donors. It was formed in 2011 and is composed of field directors, data analysts and Daniel Garza, who was George W. Bush's deputy director of External and Intergovernmental Affairs in the Interior Department, as the group's executive director.

Latinos have heavily supported the Democratic party, and millions support the Libre Initiative, which emphasizes state and local officials leading education policies and opposes Common Core. It has also been fighting toward "implementing a robust employment-driven policy where free market demand drives the quantity of available worker visas and will discourage unauthorized immigration."

The Libre Initiative is backed by the conservative billionaire Koch brothers, who have been promoting economic freedom and limited government via Libre Initiative. The Initiative has helped Latinos across America pass driver's license tests, hosted back-to-school events for low-income families and has helped feed lower-income families.

Though Libre has helped thousands nation-wide, Democrats have criticized the organization, calling it disingenuous and claiming the policies Libre supports are not with Latino interests in mind.

During Hispanic Heritage month, October, U.S. senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz have spoken before the Libre forum as well as U.S. Sen. Rand Paul. In Nevada, where Bush will be speaking, Latinos have increased turnout since 2004, jumping from 10 percent registered to 18 percent in 2012, which carried Obama in the 2012 vote.

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