With RNC speech, Alvarado to focus on Hispanic opportunity

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) – Kentucky state Sen. Ralph Alvarado is preparing to speak to the Republican National Convention about the opportunities Hispanics have in the United States.

Alvarado’s speech comes after many Latino groups have labeled presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump as racist for saying a federal judge would not treat him fairly because the judge’s family was from Mexico. Alvarado called Trump’s comments “dumb” but said he is more disturbed by the prospect of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton becoming president.

Alvarado’s father is from Costa Rica and his mother is from Argentina. Alvarado is a medical doctor who, in 2014, became the first Hispanic elected to the Kentucky state Senate. He says Latinos are naturally drawn to the Republican party for its socially and fiscally conservative platform.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.