Hispanics may swing some close U.S. elections

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http://www.swissinfo.org/eng/international/ticker/detail/Hispanics_may_swing_some_close_U_S_elections.html?siteSect=143&sid=7230995&cKey=1162831077000

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Hispanic voters in the United States, a growing bloc, could play a key role in deciding close races in at least four states on Tuesday, experts said.

Although they won't play a decisive role in key races being fought in states with smaller Hispanic populations, they could influence the outcome of a key Senate race in New Jersey, House races in Arizona and New Mexico and a race for governor in Florida, said pollster Sergio Bendixen of Bendixen and Associates.

Regional issues are important in many races, and it's unclear which party will benefit from their turnout, political analysts said. But some believe the Republican stance on the controversial issue of immigration may hurt the party.

The battle for the New Jersey seat of Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez, who is being challenged by Republican Thomas Kean Jr., the son of a popular former governor, is a crucial race in the battle for Senate control. Menendez is one of the most vulnerable Democratic incumbents.

"You can expect the majority of Hispanics to show up to vote in New Jersey, where they are more than 10 percent of the electorate," Miami-based Bendixen said

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1. I bet they made the difference in NJ n/t