Koch-affiliated Libre Initiative launches new public image

The Libre Initiative, a group affiliated with mega-donor Charles Koch’s political network, is launching a new public image and seven-figure campaign to reach Latinos in seven states.

The group, known for its advocacy of free market policies in Hispanic communities, launched a new website mondayalong with a video and the official premiere of “Sabor a Freedom”, his podcast in Spanish.

The video podcast had a soft launch in March, with an episode featuring Mexican TV chef Pati Jinich in celebration of International Women’s Day.

Jinich, known for her TV show “Pati’s Mexican Table,” discussed her immigrant story while teaching Grajales how to make tortilla soup.

The podcast, hosted by political analyst Cesar Grajales, won a Viddy award for an episode featuring Dolia Leal, founder of the Ladies in White, a Cuban human rights movement.

The homely and familiar image with a political touch is replicated in Libre’s book “Live your American dream,” video presenting the story of Libre president Daniel Garza until the founding of Libre in 2011.

“People come to America to fulfill their aspirations – and the Latino community has been no different,” Garza says in the video. “A strong Latino community is essential for a strong America – and vice versa. We are interdependent on each other.”

Libre first gained national attention with Thanksgiving turkey giveaways in Hispanic communities, where employees touted the benefits of conservative, free-market policies.

But the Libre’s story coincided with a tumultuous decade in Hispanic conservatism.

The group was founded just before the 2012 elections, in which just 27 percent of Hispanics voted for Senator Mitt Romney (Utah), then the Republican Party’s presidential candidate challenging former President Obama.

Four years later, Libre reduced its spending as the dispute between former President Trump and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton alienated many conservatives, including Koch and his brother David, who died in 2019.

The Latino political landscape has changed since Trump’s victory in 2016 – and President Biden’s in 2020 – with more Hispanics voting and support for conservatives increasing significantly from the 2012 low.

This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story