RNC hires Hispanic state and field directors in 7 states

By Monica Suarez, NBCLaino

In an effort to build a ‘grassroots infrastructure,” the Republican National Committee (RNC) announced Monday it is adding Hispanic field and state directors in California, Florida, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia.

“We are creating a permanent presence in the Hispanic community,” said Izzy Santa, RNC’s Hispanic Media Communications Director, to NBC Latino.  ”Showing up 3 months prior to an election does not guarantee winning elections.”

According to a press release issued by the RNC, chairman Reince Priebus said, “This off-cycle effort will ensure our message of ‘opportunity for all’ reaches voters. We are building a ground game that will allow us to compete for every voter and will outlast any one cycle or campaign.”

The RNC will team up with state parties to make sure they have a lasting year-round presence in predominately Latino areas and neighborhoods.

RELATED: RNC sets sights on Latinos; immigration reform key ingredient 

“We will be in the ground to make sure we are listening to the Hispanic community, we will be carrying out door-to-door programs, and sharing our message and story of why we are Republicans.” said Santa, adding, ”Every year around 50,000 Hispanics turn 18 every month, we want to make sure the youth is listening to a conservative message.  We are competing for every voter,” Santa added.

All of the Hispanic engagement staff have either worked in a previous presidential or grassroots campaign and have lived and worked in the community.

While 44 percent of Hispanics voted for President George W. Bush in 2004, 31 percent voted for Sen. John McCain in 2008.  The number went down to 27 percent in 2012 for Mitt Romney.

In March the RNC announced its support for comprehensive immigration reform and vowed to spend $10 million on hiring staff  to  expand outreach to Latino and other voting groups. The moves were announced as part of a rollout of the party’s Growth and Opportunity Project  report.

“I’m certain with these early and unprecedented investments we can achieve Republican victories up and down the ballot now and for years to come,” Priebus said.

NBC Latino’s Sandra Lilley contributed to this story.

This article was first published in NBCLatino.