The Latino Vote

The Latino Vote Podcast brings together the most sophisticated Latino voices in the country to provide you with insightful, accurate, unbiased, and timely information relating to the voting patterns and inclinations of the Nation’s Hispanics. Mike Madrid, a brilliant GOP strategist who has worked for several U.S. presidents, and who is also the founder of the 2020 “game-changing” Lincoln Project, and Chuck Rocha, the senior strategist of the Bernie Sanders Campaign and the most impactful political consultant in the country in the last quarter century, face off with host, Jason Villalba, a three-term former member of the Texas Legislature and now the respected Chairman of the Texas Hispanic Policy Foundation. Together, they bring you a ringside seat to a “no-holds barred” discussion of, The Latino Vote.

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The Latino Vote

The Latino Vote Voices: From Foster Care to the White House - Mickey Ibarra's Stories of Latino Leadership

January 21, 2026 • The Latino Vote

Meet Mickey Ibarra - a name that defined Latino excellence in Washington D.C. for decades.

On this episode of the Latino Vote Voices: Mike Madrid sits down with the former Assistant to President Clinton who went from Utah foster care to the West Wing, and is now preserving Latino stories for future generations.

Mickey opens up about his father's path from bracero worker in Oaxaca to successful small business owner in Sacramento, and how reconnecting with his Mexican heritage at age 15 transformed his life during the height of the Chicano movement in 1966. He recounts witnessing Robert F. Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey campaign in 1968, following his father's footsteps to serve in Germany during the Vietnam era, and ultimately finding his calling in public service.

As founder of the Latino Leaders Network and author of the newly released "Latino Leaders Speak: Volume Two," Mickey discusses his mission to preserve and celebrate Latino success stories across all sectors of American society. He reflects on the parallels between the turbulent 1960s and today's political climate, offering wisdom on how young Latinos can navigate uncertainty and prepare for opportunities they can't yet imagine.

Recorded Jan 12, 2026.

Check out Mickey Ibarra's latest work: 'Latino Leaders Speak: Personal Stories of Struggle and Triumph, Volume II' -
https://artepublicopress.com/product/latino-leaders-speak-personal-stories-of-struggle-and-triumph-volume-ii/

Latino Leaders Network Website: https://www.latinoleadersnetwork.org/latino-leaders-speak

Bill Clinton's ad referenced in the episode: 'A Man From Hope' - https://mediaburn.org/videos/the-man-from-hope/

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