The Republican Presidential Debate at the University of Houston on Thursday night tackled Latino issues more than any prior debate and CNN brought in Telemundo news anchor María Celeste Arrarás to moderate alongside the network's Wolf Blitzer and Dana Bash as well as Salem Media Group's Hugh Hewitt.
In preparation for the big stage, Celeste reviewed polls and focus-group data to determine what Latinos are most concerned with in the 2016 election and their main issues went far beyond the expected immigration.
"Most people feel all Latinos care about is immigration," Arrarás told Variety. "Of course they care about immigration tremendously, whether they are citizens or undocumented or have a green card. Our community is a very compassionate community. We care about being humane to families in this country, whatever their circumstances. But we are also interested in education, health care and the minimum wage - things that will bring up our families."
Arrarás is the host of Telemundo's "Al Rojo Vivo" and a co-anchor of the Spanish network's newscast "Noticiero Telmundo." Learn more about the Puerto Rican native and the credentials she would bring to Thursday's debate.
1. Arrarás Began Her Career as a Local Reporter in Puerto Rico
After graduating from Loyola University in New Orleans, Arrarás returned home to Puerto Rico where she started her television reporting career at the local station Canal 24 (Channel 24). Her work drew the attention of an Univision affiliate in New York City that hired her in 1986.
She was soon promoted to national news anchor for the weekend edition of "Noticiero Univision" and was later named co-anchor on "Primer Impacto." She held the position until 2002 when she left to join Telemundo.
2. Newsweek Named Her One of the 20 Most Powerful Women of the Next Generation
In 2009, Arrarás was chosen for the cover of Newsweek's 20 Most Powerful Women of the Next Generation. She also has graced the cover of People en Español more than 15 times.
She was the first Spanish-speaking journalist to serve as a moderator for a U.S. presidential debate, hosting the 2004 "Iowa Brown and Black Presidential Forum."
