Issued June 11, 2012

 Groups Launch One of the Largest-Ever IndependentSpanish-language Campaign Efforts

View and Listen to Ads: http://action.seiu.org/page/content/06092012/  

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and Priorities USA Action today announced a joint campaign using Mitt Romney's own words to illustrate his vision for the country that would benefit the wealthiest at the expense of Latinos and other working families.

"Mitt Romney: En Sus Propias Palabras" (Mitt Romney: In His Own Words), one of the largest ever independent Spanish-language campaigns, highlights working Latinos' reactions to Romney's own words on jobs and other key issues. The $4 million campaign will run on television and on the radio in Colorado, Nevada and Florida throughout the summer.

Though Mitt Romney has been running Spanish-language advertising suggesting that he shares the values of the Latino community, his record on jobs and the economy tells a very different story. Throughout Romney's business career, he and his partners made millions, even when companies they took control of were driven into bankruptcy, employees lost their jobs, and promises for health and retirement benefits were broken. And while he was governor of Massachusetts, the state's debt skyrocketed and he took the state to near last in job creation, even as the nation's economy was booming.

"In the primary process, Mitt Romney embraced the most extreme policies in the history of the Republican party. Latinos say they are insulted and angry when they watch Romney, a multi-millionaire, joke about his 'unemployment' status," said Eliseo Medina, SEIU Secretary-Treasurer. "When Latinos hear Romney, in his own words, they really know what's going on and what he is saying. They know what he means. And what it would mean for their families if he were to be elected president."

"If elected President, Mitt Romney's policies would be devastating to Latino families. In a Romney administration, the tax burden would shift onto middle class families in order to protect corporations and the wealthiest Americans," said Paul Begala, Senior Advisor for Priorities USA Action. "Romney's vision is a blow to the middle class: slash education, repeal healthcare reform and undermine social security and Medicare at a time when we need it most." 

"This ad is part of a broader effort to ensure Latino voters know the stakes in this election and who has been on the side of Latino Families and who will continue to stand with them in the coming years," said SEIU National Political Director Brandon Davis.  "The contrast could not be more clear. President Obama is committed to focusing on good job creation, ending devastating cuts to programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, calling on the rich and large corporations to pay their fair share in taxes and creating a fair pathway to citizenship for immigrants. Mitt Romney's policies would be detrimental to job growth, hurt Latino workers chances of finding a job that gives fair pay for a day's work, and help the very richest simply get that much richer." 

"Mitt Romney shows his true colors and what his intentions are," said SEIU Local 1199 member Raphael Suarez from Kissimmee, Florida.  "Romney's priorities have been corporations and their profits."  

The $4 million ad campaign and will begin running in Colorado, Nevada and Florida beginning the week of June 11. To watch or listen to television and radio ads for each state or view the ad scripts in English, visit http://action.seiu.org/page/content/06092012/.