Tito the Builder explained

Tito Muñoz, also known by the moniker "Tito the Builder", is a conservative activist[1] who has received substantial media attention for various political campaign activities. During the 2008 United States presidential election, Muñoz became notable for publicly defending Joe Wurzelbacher, and also for campaigning with Sarah Palin.[2] Muñoz is a member of the Virginia state Board of Housing and Community Development,[3] and has a conservative Latino radio show.[4]

Personal life

Muñoz, a Colombian immigrant, is presently a small construction company owner[5] and a United States citizen.[6] He is a resident of Woodbridge, Virginia.[7] Muñoz claims to have 250 cousins.[8]

Muñoz hosts "America Eres Tu", an hour-long Spanish language radio show that is broadcast on Saturday afternoons.[9] On his radio show, Muñoz covers social issues and takes the time to explain conservative fiscal issues. Many Hispanics don't know "we owe money to other countries," Muñoz says, "they don't understand we have a deficit, they don't understand the magnitude of the debt, so I'm there trying to explain it in simple Spanish."[10]

Campaigns

Muñoz created a 527 organization called the Conservative Hispanic Coalition. Muñoz also supports Americans for Prosperity and FreedomWorks.[11] In 2010, Muñoz considered challenging Corey Stewart, the Chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, in the Republican primary.[12] Muñoz campaigned for Governor Bob McDonnell in the Virginia gubernatorial election, 2009.[3]

2008 presidential campaign

During the 2008 presidential campaign, Tito Muñoz received substantial media attention.[13] He became known for wearing a yellow hard hat with a McCain-Palin bumper sticker, an orange reflective jacket, as well as sunglasses.[14] [15] [16] He campaigned with Sarah Palin, and was known for a confrontation with reporters.[17] Will Rabbe, of the Independent Film Channel, has posted a video about Muñoz and his interaction with reporters.[18] Five days before the election, Muñoz appeared on Fox News' Hannity & Colmes, accusing the media of "hiding the truth about" Obama.[19]

During this time, Muñoz coined the phrase: "Born in Colombia, Made in the U.S.A."

2011 Virginia General Assembly campaign

In April 2011, Muñoz, who identifies as a Tea Party activist,[20] formed his own Political Action Committee called TitoPAC.[21] Muñoz ran for the Virginia General Assembly seat held by State Senator Toddy Puller.[22] In May 2011, Muñoz protested a plan for Virginia state Republicans to nominate a candidate for the 36th district race. Under this plan, one GOP representative from each of the three counties will decide "whether to call a primary, convention, firehouse primary, or mass meeting to select a nominee for the Senate seat."[23] The Washington Post reported that, after "making a passionate plea in front of Northern Virginia Republicans, potential state Senate candidate Tito Muñoz got what he wanted — a primary, not a convention, to select the Republican nominee for the 36th district Senate race. Three GOP representatives, one each from Stafford, Prince William and Fairfax counties, voted Saturday to hold an Aug. 23 primary to find a challenger for Democratic Sen. Linda "Toddy" Puller, who has held the seat since 1999.""[24] Jeff Frederick, former chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, filed paperwork to run for state Senate in the district.[25] Muñoz stated that he wanted to focus on "the depleted Route 1 corridor and education."[26] Muñoz was endorsed by former governor George Allen.[27] On June 16, Muñoz officially launched his campaign for state senator,[28] in Muñoz's first run for public office. "The district has a voting-age Hispanic population of 19.5 percent."[29] If elected, Munoz would have been the first foreign-born Hispanic to serve in Virginia's state legislature.[30]

In the August primary, Muñoz was defeated by Frederick, losing by a 76.8% to 23.19% margin.[31] Puller won the general election.[32]

Notes and References

  1. News: 'Tito the Builder' to run for seat . June 17, 2011. June 22, 2011. Free Lance–Star. Chelyen. Davis.
  2. News: Tito the Builder Joins Palin on the Stump . October 27, 2008 . October 29, 2008 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081028154145/http://embeds.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/27/tito-the-builder-joins-palin-on-the-stump/ . October 28, 2008 .
  3. News: LISTEN: Tito The Builder May Run For General Assembly. April 18, 2011. WMAL. Jen. Richer.
  4. News: On the Washington airwaves, Tito Muñoz fine-tunes a conservative Latino voice. July 17, 2010. May 21, 2011. Washington Post. David. Montgomery.
  5. News: "Tito The Builder" Makes Cameo At Palin Rally. October 27, 2008. October 29, 2008. CBS News. Scott. Conroy.
  6. Web site: Palin turns to builder to help win US election. October 28, 2008. November 3, 2008. Building.
  7. Web site: Tito 'The Builder' Munoz finalizing 36th Senate bid. June 10, 2011. June 14, 2011. Media General.
  8. News: In Pr. William's Senate race, the conservative and the moderate defy stereotypes. July 27, 2011. July 28, 2011. Washington Post.
  9. News: Some Immigrants Turn to Tea Party. June 1, 2011. June 1, 2011. Roll Call. Janie. Lorber.
  10. News: Our American Dream: "Tito the Builder" Inspired by His Colombian Grandmother. June 3, 2011. June 5, 2011. Fox News. Gigi. Erneta.
  11. News: Tito the Builder considering state politics. April 14, 2011. April 18, 2011. insidenova. Keith. Walker.
  12. News: 'Tito the Builder' may run against Stewart for chairman. December 3, 2010. April 18, 2011. Washington Post. Anita. Kumar.
  13. Web site: Tito's TV Time. October 29, 2008. October 29, 2008. Media General.
  14. Web site: introducing 'tito the builder'. https://web.archive.org/web/20081030221902/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/10/27/1597817.aspx. dead. October 30, 2008. October 27, 2008. October 29, 2008. MSNBC.
  15. News: Palin trots out 'Tito the builder' at Virginia rally. October 27, 2008. October 29, 2008. CNN.
  16. Web site: Joe the Plumber, Meet Tito the Builder. October 28, 2008. October 29, 2008. AOL News.
  17. Web site: Tito the Movie. October 24, 2008. October 30, 2008. National Review. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20081025185405/http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NzIwMmZkM2M4MjEzZWVmOGQ1MzBkYzY2NjgyYWZmMDA%3D. October 25, 2008.
  18. Web site: Election '08: Angry Joes vs. The Media . October 24, 2008 . October 30, 2008 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081027061615/http://www.ifc.com/video/News/Politics/1873142351 . October 27, 2008 .
  19. Web site: "Tito the Builder on "Hannity & Colmes". October 30, 2008. October 31, 2008. Real Clear Politics.
  20. News: Tito "the Builder" Munoz from 2008 presidential campaign considering run for Va. legislature. April 15, 2011. April 18, 2011. The Republic.
  21. News: Tito the Builder Considering 2012 Run. April 14, 2011. April 18, 2011. NBC News.
  22. News: 'Tito the Builder' raises money, considers running against Puller. May 20, 2011. May 21, 2011. Washington Post. Anita. Kumar.
  23. News: Tito the builder protests GOP Senate nomination process. May 27, 2011. May 29, 2011. Washington Post. Jennifer. Buske.
  24. News: Republicans pick primary for 36th district Senate race. June 1, 2011. June 1, 2011. Washington Post. Jennifer. Buske.
  25. News: Frederick files to run for state Senate. June 7, 2011. June 7, 2011. Washington Post. Anita. Kumar.
  26. News: Here we go: Tito versus Frederick in GOP Sen. primary. June 8, 2011. June 8, 2011. Washington Examiner. David. Sherfinski.
  27. News: Allen backs 'Tito the Builder' for state Senate. June 10, 2011. June 11, 2011. Washington Post. Anita. Kumar.
  28. News: 'Tito the Builder' to run for state senate. June 16, 2011. June 16, 2011. Washington Post. Jennifer. Buske.
  29. News: Hispanic candidates increase, along with Latino population. July 5, 2011. July 5, 2011. The News Virginian. Tyler. Whitley.
  30. News: 'Tito the Builder' To Run For Va. State Senate. June 30, 2011. June 30, 2011. WAMU. Armondo. Trull.
  31. Web site: Frederick Defeats Muñoz in 36th Senate Seat Primary - Kingstowne-Rose Hill, VA Patch . 2011-10-05 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120331045041/http://kingstowne.patch.com/articles/frederick-defeats-muoz-in-36th-senate-seat-primary . 2012-03-31 .
  32. Web site: Mushung. KJ. Puller Pulls One Over Frederick. potomaclocal.com. December 23, 2011.

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