Corbett says Latino comment taken out of context
HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Corbett defended a comment he made last week that he had no Latinos on his staff, saying Wednesday that it had been taken out of context to hurt him politically.
The first-term Republican made the comment at an Al Dia News Media-sponsored event in Philadelphia, and then asked people at the forum to help him recruit one.
“No, we do not have any staff members in there,” Corbett said. “If you can find us one, please let me know.”
After a video of the exchange was posted Wednesday on ThinkProgress, a liberal blog, the governor’s press office issued a statement that said he was only referring to his immediate staff, a small group.
Corbett spokesman Kevin Harley said the governor has appointed numerous Latinos, including former Health Secretary Eli Avila. The others he listed were Maria Montero, who heads the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs, and Ken Trujillo, who he unsuccessfully nominated to the Liquor Control Board.
At the forum, Corbett also said increasing employment was “in the best interest of every nationality in Pennsylvania.” Latino is an ethnicity, not a nationality.
“We’re in the process of getting much more connected with everybody, that we did not have that relationship before, we’re going to fix that,” Corbett said.
When the moderator responded to his request for potential staffers by saying “I am sure that there are Latinos that …,” Corbett cut her off.
“Do any of you want to come to Harrisburg?” Corbett asked.
U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz, one of several Democrats lining up to seek the nomination to run against Corbett next year, responded by saying a governor should set of tone of diversity with people of all backgrounds.
“Making excuses isn’t leadership,” Schwartz said. “Sadly, this kind of excuse is what we’ve come to expect from Gov. Corbett, and yet again, makes clear why we need a change in Harrisburg.”
Corbett’s press office did not return a phone message seeking further comment.