By Pat Trevino | June 28, 2025
Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas — The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the nation’s oldest Latino civil rights organization, held its 2026 National Convention in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex June 17–20, drawing thousands of delegates, students, educators, and community leaders for four days of policy discussions, cultural events, and grassroots organizing.
The convention focused on civil rights, voting access, public education, and the growing political power of Latino communities in Texas and across the country.
A focus on rights, representation, and civic power
LULAC National President Roman Palomares opened the gathering by stressing the urgency of defending constitutional protections and ensuring Latino families understand their rights in a tense political climate. Plenary sessions and workshops covered voting rights, immigration, economic opportunity, mental health, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and youth civic engagement.
Throughout the week, speakers emphasized that Latino voters would play a decisive role in upcoming elections and in shaping public policy at every level of government.
Gina Hinojosa and Bobby Pulido headline political lineup
The convention’s opening remarks featured Rep. Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic nominee for Governor of Texas, and Bobby Pulido, Tejano singer and Democratic nominee for Texas’s 15th Congressional District. Both candidates used the LULAC stage to speak directly to Latino voters about the stakes of the November election.
Hinojosa urged attendees to recognize their collective power at the ballot box and called for a Texas “by and for the people,” with strong public schools and protections for working families. Pulido spoke about his South Texas roots, the values he learned from his farmworker‑turned‑musician father, and his commitment to representing communities that have long felt overlooked in Washington.
Their appearances underscored LULAC’s role as a key gathering place for candidates seeking to engage Latino voters in a substantive way.
James Talarico and other Texas leaders join the conversation
Among the other Texas leaders participating was State Representative James Talarico, a Democrat running for the U.S. Senate. Talarico took part in a policy session on public education and equity, arguing that fully funded public schools and fair opportunities for Latino students are essential to Texas’s future.
Additional state lawmakers and local officials joined panels on democracy, extremism, and community safety, reflecting a broad coalition of leaders engaging with LULAC members on policy and governance.
Cuero’s Dr. Cynthia E. Orozco, LULAC National Historian
A highlight for many attendees—especially those from DeWitt County—was a featured presentation by Cuero’s own Dr. Cynthia E. Orozco, LULAC’s National Historian and a nationally recognized scholar of Mexican American civil rights.
Dr. Orozco traced LULAC’s history from its founding in 1929 through landmark legal battles and grassroots campaigns, emphasizing the central role of Texas communities in building the organization. She reminded attendees that today’s advocacy stands on the shoulders of earlier generations who organized for school desegregation, voting rights, and equal treatment under the law.
Her talk reinforced the importance of preserving and teaching Latino history so that younger activists understand the legacy they are continuing.
Community service and family support
Beyond speeches and panels, the convention included tangible support for local families. LULAC partnered with Tyson Foods to donate 40,000 pounds of protein to the Tarrant Area Food Bank and worked with the American Federation of Teachers to distribute more than 1,000 books and Lego sets to children.
These efforts reflected LULAC’s long‑standing commitment to pairing policy advocacy with direct community service.
Culture, youth, and the road ahead
The convention also featured cultural performances, youth leadership institutes, LGBTQIA+ convenings, and “cafecito” networking sessions that brought together students, elders, organizers, and elected officials.
With hundreds of councils and more than half a million members nationwide, LULAC continues to be a central force in Latino civil rights and civic engagement. The 2026 National Convention in Dallas–Fort Worth reaffirmed that Latino communities—and their allies—are organizing, voting, and leading with a clear message: the future of Texas and the nation will be shaped with them, not without them.
