An American First? It's a Spanish-Only Debate

This is one of the more tangible signs of the growing importance of the Hispanic vote in American politics: Two congressional candidates in Colorado will have a Spanish-only debate tonight, believed to be the nation's first, reports NBC News. No translators will be allowed as Republican incumbent Mike Coffman tries to fend off Democratic challenger Andrew Romanoff in the 6th District.

Neither is of Hispanic descent, but Romanoff speaks fluent Spanish after teaching in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Coffman has been playing catch-up ever since redistricting added more Hispanics into his district. He works with a tutor and watches Spanish-language news, and the Denver Post notes that he also has softened his immigration stance. He now supports a path toward legal status, but not full citizenship. (More Election 2016 stories.)