CROWN POINT, Ind. — Indiana's burgeoning Hispanic population has Democrats and Republicans competing to woo this large new voting bloc, with an eye on its potential to swing close races.

        Beginning with the 2000 presidential elections, both state parties put out voter guides in Spanish. The Democratic party began a Latino caucus.

        U.S. Census data show the Hispanic population in Indiana jumped 117 percent from 1990 to 2000, with about 214,000 Latinos now making up about 3.5 percent of the state population.

        The swing potential of the Hispanic vote has both major parties nervous as they try to find a way to connect with Latinos.

        While voter turnout in the 1998 congressional elections dipped by 2.6 million nationwide, the number of Hispanic voters increased by 600,000.

        Although neither party was eager to release voting data, the consensus is most Latinos in Indiana are Democrats.

        Democratic state chairman Peter Manous said the party's traditional stances on education, civil rights and immigration are its main weapons in keeping a majority of Latino voters.

        But Republicans hope to make inroads in Indiana, looking to studies that show Latino voters tend to be conservative and often more religious than the population at large, said state party executive director Luke Messer.

        The Bush administration is prodding the GOP to get out the Hispanic vote. The national party has an aggressive Latino voter registration program, while the White House has a Latino outreach coordinator.

        “Because they (the Bush administration) are from Texas, I think they were a little ahead of the curve on this,” Mr. Messer said.

        By the general election, the Indiana GOP will have hired its own Latino coordinator, he said.

        Meanwhile, Latino Democrats in Indiana are enjoying a banner year.

        Bloomington Mayor John Fernandez will top the state ticket in November as the party's candidate for secretary of state.

        Mr. Fernandez is the first Latino to head the ticket in Indiana for either party. He is the son of Spanish immigrants, but his last name ties him to the Latino community — a relationship he happily accepts.

        “While I'm running as the Democratic candidate, not the Hispanic candidate, this will be a chance to break a historic barrier,” he said.

        Mr. Fernandez could become one of only a handful of Latinos in the nation elected to a statewide office, according to the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.

        “Latinos have become the new soccer moms. Everyone wants to know what they want,” said Marcelo Gaete, program director for NALEAO.

        But finding Latino voters — or votantes — has proven easier than catering to their issues.

        “Latinos in urban areas care about urban issues, but if they are farmers they will side with farmers,” Mr. Gaete said.

Many Catholics demand disclosure
Cardinal: New solution sought
Cleveland bishop calls for prayer and fidelity
Men say church knew of sex abuse decades ago
Landlords angered by mini-riot damage
Oxford grads take prizes
Warren Co. roads taking on orange hue
Woman leaps out of moving vehicle
BRONSON: Death row
CROWLEY: Erpenbeck gossip has sad undertone
Some Good News
You Asked For It
Authorities concerned about rise in dogfighting
Boone looks to its past
Both parties court growing new bloc of Hispanic voters
City's 'just a few prayers' from healing
Domestic violence funds pulled
Indiana 'warriors' slammed
Mine-safety system has mixed reviews
Money worries clog sewer project
Renovation gives police more space
School-funding report author sues
Tot has just cuts, bruises in 30-foot fall
Traficant skipping primary
Walk circle, seek self
Kentucky A.M. report
Tristate A.M. report