Immigrants run for office back home

Running for any type of office is something that is very enjoyable, and many people aspire to be a pillar in their communities, either great or small. These select few people are bred for leadership positions, and whether or not they are successful in these attempts, it says something that they are willing to be more to their society than just an ordinary citizen. It is even more astounding that immigrants decide to be something more to their new communities, deciding to aspire to be better citizens to their communities that have grown to love. Often times, these people understand this and return to their home countries after building a solid understanding of how these positions are held, and try to do something that is beneficial to the families they had to unfortunately leave behind.

Such is the case of Merlin Pena, an El Salvadorian that came to the United States to escape the El Salvadorian civil war. Just recently, she has returned to her home country to try to run for office. The office that she is running for is the vice-president position, something that is in high regard. The 51 year old woman lived in the state of Massachusetts for 28 years, and then decided that she would like to run for office. In Boston, she cleaned offices, and completed other jobs. There she was in tune with El Salvadorian politics, which eventually lead to her vice-presidential bid. This is not entirely uncommon to Latin countries, as many people who have toiled in positions that are generally not designed for those running for offices as important. There are quite a few people, such as Ruben Blades, a salsa singer.

Ruben Blades of Panama ran for president. Although he did not win the election, there are still very people who have had must success in elections. Like Pena, Boston resident Ricardo Silva was elected mayor of San Salvador. One of the people who people who have had the best success was probably Jose Rafael Espada, a surgeon from Houston, Texas, ran for vice president twice in 2007.

These successful people may have left their home countries, but they are returning to their roots to give back to what made them what they were. After having successful lives in the United States, they feel as if they really have something to offer to their home, and bringing them the gift of leadership to those who need it.