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The club aims to increase Latino representation in local politics, develop future leaders and strengthen community involvement across New York City, founder Jamey Battle said.
After years of participating in Democratic clubs, women’s organizations and professional networks, Jamey Battle said she often found herself asking the same question.
“I kept thinking, where are the other Latinos?” said Battle, who previously worked in the New York State Assembly and for a lobbying firm. “How can I bring them into this space? How can I get us involved in this political movement?”
Rather than continuing to search for Latino representation within existing political organizations, Battle decided to help create that space, centered on Latino voices and experiences.
Last month, Latino Democrats of New York City (LDNYC) celebrated its official launch as a 501(c)(4). Founded in October 2025 as a volunteer organizing group, LDNYC now has nearly 200 members, according to a press release.
The club aims to increase Latino representation in local politics, develop future leaders and strengthen community involvement across New York City’s five boroughs.
“I came up with the idea for Latino Democrats about a year ago. I texted my vice president, Evelyn Norris Pez, and we reached out to people in the network that we knew that shared two values: integrity and community centeredness,” said Battle, the group’s president.
“I finally came to a realization of, why am I spending so much time trying to have Latinos fit into a space that was never made for us, that isn’t led for us by us, and that doesn’t serve us?”
The group celebrated its new nonprofit status on Oct. 21 with an inaugural “Primera Noche” reception at Lighthouse Rooftop in Long Island City, Queens.
The evening brought together elected officials, community leaders, organizers and supporters for a celebration featuring speeches, award presentations and conversations about Latino political participation.
Attendees included Claire Valdez, who will head to Congress in January to represent Brooklyn and Queens’ 7th District; Brian Romero, newly elected to the State Assembly in Woodside and Jackson Heights; plus Queens Assembly members Catalina Cruz and Steven Raga, among others.
Throughout the reception, speakers shared personal stories about their families, careers and the experiences that shaped their involvement in public service.
One recalled growing up with a Salvadoran mother who arrived in the United States undocumented at age 12, and described hearing family stories about workplace exploitation, wage theft, policing and immigration enforcement—experiences that they said continue to shape their approach to community advocacy.
In New York State, Latinos account for 2.2 million eligible voters, making them the largest ethnic and racial group after white voters, according to the Pew Research Center.
For Battle, the group’s launch marks an opportunity to bring more Latino New Yorkers into political spaces and develop a stronger network of community leaders.
It comes as Democrats celebrate sweeping wins across the country in Tuesday’s midterm election, including victories for several candidates Latino Democrats NYC endorsed.
“I’m really excited for the next few years, really mobilizing and energizing the Latino community in New York City and building political power for all Latino communities in New York City,” Battle said.
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