Delia served in the Kansas House of Representatives, where she became the first Latina woman to be elected to the Kansas Legislature in 2004, at age 27, as the youngest female elected to the Kansas Legislature. She served six years with a passion for and track record of championing advances in higher education, small business, women issues, health access, labor, and diversity issues. She was a strategic legislator in fighting off anti-immigrant legislation while encouraging a healthy, bi-partisan dialogue on these issues, and protecting the In-State Tuition state law passed in 2004.
She has worked on electoral campaigns since 1996, including presidential, congressional, gubernatorial, state senate and house, city council and school board races in Kansas and Texas. In addition to her campaigns and elections experience, Delia has a lifetime history in small business, having been born and raised with her four sisters in her family’s Mexican restaurant, Connie’s Mexico Café, which is Kansas’ Oldest Family Owned Mexican Restaurant since 1963. She served as a Manager while serving in the Kansas Legislature. Additionally, Delia was a professor at Butler County Community College and teaching Upward Bound TRIO Program at Wichita State University. She has a strong history of building public/private partnerships.
Hearing Delia's story was very inspiring! She has thrived to be where she is now, but it is through that struggle that she now inspires other young Latino Women like myself to seek a career in politics. When I heard her story I quickly thought "well if she was able to get there", "I think I have a chance as well." I know it will take hard work and dedication, but I know that one day I will be running for office as well.
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