HispanicBusiness

WASHINGTON, April 24 - Maria Cardona has been named director of communications for the U.S. Democratic Party, party officials announced this week.

Until recently, Maria Cardona was the director of communications for the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service.

She previously worked as assistant communications director for the Democratic Party and press director for the Commerce Department.

Cardona said that one of her priorities will be to get the Democrats' message out to the Hispanic community, which is now the largest minority in the United States. "As a Latino woman, I know how important it is to be active and involved in political issues if we want to make things better," she added.