(CNN) For many Latinos, 2016 was supposed to be the year they'd see one of their own on the presidential ballot. Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio did their best on the Republican side and for a while Hilary Clinton kept their hopes high until she picked Tim Kaine to be her running mate.

"I'm disappointed she didn't pick a Latino," says Arturo Vargas, executive director of the non-partisan National Association of Elected and Appointed Latino Officials, NALEO, which represents more than 6,200 members.

He argues that many well-qualified Latinos have been passed over for the VP spot even after they were interviewed for the job.

At least three Latinos, Housing Secretary Julian Castro, Labor Secretary Tom Perez and California congressman Xavier Becerra met with Clinton during the vetting process.

Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, is also disappointed that Hilary Clinton didn't choose a Latino as her running mate but understands that Tim Kaine could be more helpful to win in November.

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