Latina selected as Yakima’s new mayor

*This is excellent news! Avina Gutierez and a group of Latino activists in Yakima, Washington, began a political revolution when they sued in federal court to change the at-large method of electing the city council to a single member district scheme. The Latin@s prevailed and put up four candidates for the council. Avina and two other Latinas won their races, and now Avina has been elected Mayor. VL

By Mike Faulk, Yakima Herald Republic

YAKIMA, Wash. – Fellow Yakima City Council members unanimously elected Avina Gutierrez mayor — and chose Holly Cousens as assistant mayor on a 4-3 vote — at the new council’s first business meeting Tuesday night.

Gutierrez, 36, was among the first three Latinos ever elected to the council and will be the first Latina to hold the ceremonial role.

“Before I ran for office I never thought in the future this would be an opportunity for me,” she said. “I’m hoping I can be an example to anyone who wants to step up to the plate that they can accomplish their goals.”

Gutierrez grew up in Yakima and graduated from Davis High School before attending the University of Texas at El Paso. She went on to work for a Texas state senator in a variety of roles, including office budget management, before opening her own business consulting firm.

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