The election of Ken Salazar of Colorado and Mel Martinez of Florida to the US Senate marks them as only the fourth and fifth Hispanics elected to the United States Senate in history.
The fist was Octaviano A. Larrazolo, a progressive Republican from New Mexico, who was also my great-great-great grandfather. He served from 1928 to 1929. Senator Larrazolo also served as the second governor of the State of New Mexico. The second and third, both from New Mexico as well, were Democrat Dennis Chavez, who served from 1935 to 1962 and Joseph Montoya, who served from 1964 until 1977.
