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For more maps in my Seventh Party System series check out my gallery here.

While Hispanos Unidos is by far the dominant party nationwide in representing Hispanic interests, it also has an unique relationship with two smaller centrist Hispanic parties, the Unión Demócrata Cristiana and Ciudadanos. But before we can delve into this unique relationship, we must first learn of the history of the Hispanos Unidos party.

Hispanos Unidos - The party for centrist Hispanics in most states outside of the Southwest and Caribbean, they have been the firmest supporter of Hispanic interests on a national scale. Started right after the 1974 midterm elections which dealt the final death blow to the National Union party, at first they had just two branches in New York and Florida. However over time they soon began to dominate the scene among many Hispanics in East Coast states and when the party began to spread out West, especially to states such as Texas and Alta California, Hispanos Unidos really began to pick up steam. During the political chaos of the late 1970s and early 1980s Hispanos Unidos had to duel it out with the UDC and Ciudadanos in these Western states, however with the cash from big New York and Florida donors the HU soon began to outcompete both of these centrist parties and pushed them out of the several big states.

Yet in the heart of the Southwest the influence of las columnas proved too strong for any party to occupy the center ground between the Devout and the Bourgeoisie. On the other hand, the Progressives offered a radical left wing alternative to las columnas, running not only socially and economically to the left of both the UDC and Ciudadanos, but also bridging the ethnic gap between Hispanics and Anglos. Thus, with Hispanos Unidos being unable to find any sort of niche within these electorates, Hispanos Unidos devised a devious plan.

In 1990 Hispanos Unidos withdrew from las columnas states, as well as the states of Santo Domingo, Puerto Rico, and Media California. While in Puerto Rico and Media California it unconditionally supported the Partido Renovacion and Progressive Conservatives as the only viable centrist Hispanic parties, in the other states it offered its donor dollars to whichever party it thought could best represent its interest. Thus both the UDC and Ciudadanos began to compete for the Hispanos Unidos’ attention, leading to a fierce competition between the two to support the national policies of Hispanos Unidos. Thus while the two parties remain divided between those who prioritize businesses and those who prioritize the Catholic Church, both drew closer together on many other policy issues and became united in their foreign policy to support free trade and open borders with the capitalist nations of Latin America, parroting the position of Hispanos Unidos.

While in the state of Colorado the UDC was successful in utterly demolishing Ciudadanos, resulting in the Ciudadanos party of Colorado being little more than a few interns in one office, in all other states the two parties remain fiercely in competition with one another for HU dollars. Of course, sometimes the parties do end up allying together to form a coalition government, but such coalitions are extraordinary cases and for the most part the two parties remain at each others' throats.

Unión Demócrata Cristiana - A columnas party representing the Devout Hispanics, their main constituency resides among those Hispanics who value social conservatism and the Catholic Church above all else. In comparison to Ciudadanos and Hispanos Unidos they are a bit more socially conservative and economically left wing, however their popularity among rural and older Hispanics has made them good partners for Hispanos Unidos donors.

Ciudadanos - A columnas party representing the Bourgeoisie Hispanics, their main constituency resides among the small business owners and self employed Hispanics who value free and fair markets above all else. In comparison to the UDC and HU they are a bit more socially liberal and economically right wing, and as such have faced difficulties in states where the Libertarians dominate, such as Colorado where the party has been wiped out entirely. Nevertheless, the party continues to find a niche among those who are turned off from the radicalism of the Libertarian party, and they remain very competitive for Hispanos Unidos donors in the states where they remain operating.

Hispanos Unidos Affiliates - There are two state parties which are affiliates of not just Hispanos Unidos, but also the UDC, Ciudadanos, and the Republicans. In Media California that affiliate is the Progressive Conservative party, which remains the only opposition party capable of taking on the Progressive establishment. And in Puerto Rico this affiliate is the Partido Renovacion, which has long been the party of the conservative establishment for that island state.

Credit for the party logos goes to Turquoise Blue
Credit for the basemap goes to Chicxulub

Description

For more maps in my Seventh Party System series check out my gallery here.

While Hispanos Unidos is by far the dominant party nationwide in representing Hispanic interests, it also has an unique relationship with two smaller centrist Hispanic parties, the Unión Demócrata Cristiana and Ciudadanos. But before we can delve into this unique relationship, we must first learn of the history of the Hispanos Unidos party.

Hispanos Unidos - The party for centrist Hispanics in most states outside of the Southwest and Caribbean, they have been the firmest supporter of Hispanic interests on a national scale. Started right after the 1974 midterm elections which dealt the final death blow to the National Union party, at first they had just two branches in New York and Florida. However over time they soon began to dominate the scene among many Hispanics in East Coast states and when the party began to spread out West, especially to states such as Texas and Alta California, Hispanos Unidos really began to pick up steam. During the political chaos of the late 1970s and early 1980s Hispanos Unidos had to duel it out with the UDC and Ciudadanos in these Western states, however with the cash from big New York and Florida donors the HU soon began to outcompete both of these centrist parties and pushed them out of the several big states.

Yet in the heart of the Southwest the influence of las columnas proved too strong for any party to occupy the center ground between the Devout and the Bourgeoisie. On the other hand, the Progressives offered a radical left wing alternative to las columnas, running not only socially and economically to the left of both the UDC and Ciudadanos, but also bridging the ethnic gap between Hispanics and Anglos. Thus, with Hispanos Unidos being unable to find any sort of niche within these electorates, Hispanos Unidos devised a devious plan.

In 1990 Hispanos Unidos withdrew from las columnas states, as well as the states of Santo Domingo, Puerto Rico, and Media California. While in Puerto Rico and Media California it unconditionally supported the Partido Renovacion and Progressive Conservatives as the only viable centrist Hispanic parties, in the other states it offered its donor dollars to whichever party it thought could best represent its interest. Thus both the UDC and Ciudadanos began to compete for the Hispanos Unidos’ attention, leading to a fierce competition between the two to support the national policies of Hispanos Unidos. Thus while the two parties remain divided between those who prioritize businesses and those who prioritize the Catholic Church, both drew closer together on many other policy issues and became united in their foreign policy to support free trade and open borders with the capitalist nations of Latin America, parroting the position of Hispanos Unidos.

While in the state of Colorado the UDC was successful in utterly demolishing Ciudadanos, resulting in the Ciudadanos party of Colorado being little more than a few interns in one office, in all other states the two parties remain fiercely in competition with one another for HU dollars. Of course, sometimes the parties do end up allying together to form a coalition government, but such coalitions are extraordinary cases and for the most part the two parties remain at each others' throats.

Unión Demócrata Cristiana - A columnas party representing the Devout Hispanics, their main constituency resides among those Hispanics who value social conservatism and the Catholic Church above all else. In comparison to Ciudadanos and Hispanos Unidos they are a bit more socially conservative and economically left wing, however their popularity among rural and older Hispanics has made them good partners for Hispanos Unidos donors.

Ciudadanos - A columnas party representing the Bourgeoisie Hispanics, their main constituency resides among the small business owners and self employed Hispanics who value free and fair markets above all else. In comparison to the UDC and HU they are a bit more socially liberal and economically right wing, and as such have faced difficulties in states where the Libertarians dominate, such as Colorado where the party has been wiped out entirely. Nevertheless, the party continues to find a niche among those who are turned off from the radicalism of the Libertarian party, and they remain very competitive for Hispanos Unidos donors in the states where they remain operating.

Hispanos Unidos Affiliates - There are two state parties which are affiliates of not just Hispanos Unidos, but also the UDC, Ciudadanos, and the Republicans. In Media California that affiliate is the Progressive Conservative party, which remains the only opposition party capable of taking on the Progressive establishment. And in Puerto Rico this affiliate is the Partido Renovacion, which has long been the party of the conservative establishment for that island state.

Credit for the party logos goes to Turquoise Blue
Credit for the basemap goes to Chicxulub