Elvia Díaz

opinion columnist

We’ve seen this before. Hillary Clinton seemed to think there was nothing and no one to stop her from securing the Democratic nomination to the White House.

Then came a dazzling Barack Obama out of nowhere, sweeping away her dream of becoming the first woman president of the United States.

Eight years later we’re seeing a similar movement. This time, we have Bernie Sanders surfacing out of nowhere to seriously threaten her dreams.

The 74-year-old Sanders has gotten a national following from Millennials to Hispanics, the same people who should be in Hillary Clinton’s camp -- or at least she assumed were on her side.

On Monday, nearly 30 of mostly Hispanic leaders formed a Bernie Sanders coalition, including U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva, state Sen. Martín Quezada and Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Gallardo.

"His entire political history, his entire political record has re-energized and reinvigorated me [as a politician]," Quezada told La Voz Arizona Monday as he joined five colleagues from the state Legislature to support Sanders over Hillary. He has stayed true to the ideals that inspired me to run for office."

Sanders is doing exactly what Obama did during his first bid for the White House. Obama gave hope. Sanders is promising a social revolution calling on the middle class and the poor to unite and take over the powerful few running this country.

His message is resonating with local leaders like Gallardo, Flagstaff vice mayor Celia Barotz and Adelita Grijalva, president of the school board of the Tucson Unified School District.

Sanders gives them hope to take control of local schools, health care and to raise the minimum wage. In other words, his message as the underdog who will wrestle control from the powerful and the wealthy is working.

What does Hillary Clinton or her supporters say to Arizonans? Nothing.

Sanders' backers are aggressive on social media, email and now are organized in a coalition. Clinton has passionate individual supporters in the state but it’s hard to find an organized effort.

Even those most ardent supporters couldn’t identify Hillary Clinton staffers or her key volunteers.

A few Clinton supporters said they too will unveil a list. Others reiterated their commitment to her, expressing confidence that she will prevail at the end.

"I'm all in for Hillary Clinton because she's leading on issues that speak to a better and fairer future for all of us,'' said Carlos Galindo-Elvira, the former mayor of Hayden. "I believe her experience, passion and goals are rooted in progress for families like mine. And, her foreign policy experience cannot be overlooked to address serious threats and terrorism."

Clinton finally knows she can’t ignore Sanders. She should also know that ignoring Arizona would be a mistake. After all, every vote counts and Sanders’ backers aren’t taking anything for granted.

Elvia Díaz is editor of La Voz and editorial columnist for The Republic and azcentral. Reach her at 602-444-8606 or elvia.diaz@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her @elviadiaz1.