Charlotte (ABC 4 News) - Tuesday night, the first Latino to give a Democratic keynote speech will take the stage at that party's national convention.
Tuesday night, San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro will give a much anticipated speech here in Charlotte.
But that's not the only thing Utah's Democratic Latino delegates are excited about.
They also have a key role in deciding who will be America's president.
In fact, Utah delegate Jim Gonzales says the Latino vote is crucial.
Gonzales said, "Latinos come to the Democratic Party because it has been, at least for the last 50 years, its been about bringing people forward and raising them up. Latinos get that."
Gonzales and Ross Romero are both highly valued members of Utah's Democratic delegation.
They know Latino voters in western swing states like Nevada and Colorado may give the president four more years.
But they also know - with more Latinos and more Latinos voting - Democrats would be wise not to take their vote for granted.
Romero told us, "Latinos are everywhere. They have to be asked for their vote and then the Latinos have to go vote and I think you're going to see that in record numbers this year."
While Gonzales and Romero know Mitt Romney is hugely popular in Utah, the question remains: how many Latino voters nationwide will vote for the Republican nominee?
Gonzales says, "I don't think that Latinos who work for a living, Latinos who try to get an education, Latinos who are trying to build a family, find a place in the Republican Party."
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