Immigration News

While riding the “anti-immigration wave” worked out for Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, it didn’t do the same for campaigns across the board.

In Nevada, Harry Reid beat out Sharron Angle (R). In Colorado, Tom Tancredo lost to John Hickenlooper, and Jerry Brown took California over Meg Whitman.

Angle’s ads tried to capitalize on ethnic fears that showed “angry” Latino men set to dramatic (and perhaps untrue) statements. In the end, the immigration issue, which she wrapped her whole campaign around just wasn’t enough to clinch the win.

Meanwhile, over in Colorado, Tom Tancredo also campaigned largely on immigration policy. He often repeatedly accused his Democratic opponent John Hickenlooper of backing plans to allow unauthorized immigrants to stay in the country and “threaten American lives.” Despite, Tancredo’s overzealous cries, Hickenlooper will be the new Colorado governor.

Another highly publicized race centering on immigration was between Republican Meg Whitman and Dem. Jerry Brown. Whitman was not exactly helped by the support from former Gov. Pete Wilson either, as he was behind California’s now-overturned Proposition 187, which set to exclude undocumented immigrants from receiving state services. Whitman did try to win over Latino voters, but support she may have received was hindered when her maid publically announced she was mistreated and was, in fact, an unauthorized immigrant.

Governor candidates did win in a few other states, though. In New Mexico, Susana Martinez (R) emerged victorious, as did Georgia’s Nathan Deal (R) and South Carolina’s Nikki Haley (R). All three are supporters of harsher immigration laws in their states.