Tito the Builder

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]

Not to be confused with former Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito

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.[9] 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 reflector 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."[10]

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.[24] "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]

References
  1. Davis, Chelyen (June 17, 2011). "'Tito the Builder' to run for seat". Free Lance–Star. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
  2. "Tito the Builder Joins Palin on the Stump". Fox News. October 27, 2008. Archived from the original on October 28, 2008. Retrieved October 29, 2008.
  3. Richer, Jen. "LISTEN: Tito The Builder May Run For General Assembly". WMAL. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  4. Montgomery, David (July 17, 2010). "On the Washington airwaves, Tito Muñoz fine-tunes a conservative Latino voice". Washington Post. Retrieved May 21, 2011.
  5. Conroy, Scott (October 27, 2008). ""Tito The Builder" Makes Cameo At Palin Rally". CBS News. Retrieved October 29, 2008.
  6. "Palin turns to builder to help win US election". Building. October 28, 2008. Retrieved November 3, 2008.
  7. "Tito 'The Builder' Munoz finalizing 36th Senate bid". Media General. June 10, 2011. Retrieved June 14, 2011.
  8. "In Pr. William's Senate race, the conservative and the moderate defy stereotypes". Washington Post. July 27, 2011. Retrieved July 28, 2011.
  9. Lorber, Janie (June 1, 2011). "Some Immigrants Turn to Tea Party". Roll Call. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  10. Erneta, Gigi (June 3, 2011). "Our American Dream: "Tito the Builder" Inspired by His Colombian Grandmother". Fox News. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
  11. Walker, Keith (April 14, 2011). "Tito the Builder considering state politics". insidenova. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  12. Kumar, Anita (December 3, 2010). "'Tito the Builder' may run against Stewart for chairman". Washington Post. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  13. "Tito's TV Time". Media General. October 29, 2008. Retrieved October 29, 2008.
  14. "introducing 'tito the builder'". MSNBC. October 27, 2008. Archived from the original on October 30, 2008. Retrieved October 29, 2008.
  15. "Palin trots out 'Tito the builder' at Virginia rally". CNN. October 27, 2008. Retrieved October 29, 2008.
  16. "Joe the Plumber, Meet Tito the Builder". AOL News. October 28, 2008. Retrieved October 29, 2008.
  17. "Tito the Movie". National Review. October 24, 2008. Archived from the original on October 25, 2008. Retrieved October 30, 2008.
  18. "Election '08: Angry Joes vs. The Media". Independent Film Channel. October 24, 2008. Archived from the original on October 27, 2008. Retrieved October 30, 2008.
  19. ""Tito the Builder on "Hannity & Colmes"". Real Clear Politics. October 30, 2008. Retrieved October 31, 2008.
  20. "Tito "the Builder" Munoz from 2008 presidential campaign considering run for Va. legislature". The Republic. April 15, 2011. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  21. "Tito the Builder Considering 2012 Run". NBC News. April 14, 2011. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  22. Kumar, Anita (May 20, 2011). "'Tito the Builder' raises money, considers running against Puller". Washington Post. Retrieved May 21, 2011.
  23. Buske, Jennifer (May 27, 2011). "Tito the builder protests GOP Senate nomination process". Washington Post. Retrieved May 29, 2011.
  24. Buske, Jennifer (June 1, 2011). "Republicans pick primary for 36th district Senate race". Washington Post. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  25. Kumar, Anita (June 7, 2011). "Frederick files to run for state Senate". Washington Post. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  26. Sherfinski, David (June 8, 2011). "Here we go: Tito versus Frederick in GOP Sen. primary". Washington Examiner. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  27. Kumar, Anita (June 10, 2011). "Allen backs 'Tito the Builder' for state Senate". Washington Post. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  28. Buske, Jennifer (June 16, 2011). "'Tito the Builder' to run for state senate". Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2011.
  29. Whitley, Tyler (July 5, 2011). "Hispanic candidates increase, along with Latino population". The News Virginian. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  30. Trull, Armondo (June 30, 2011). "'Tito the Builder' To Run For Va. State Senate". WAMU. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
  31. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-03-31. Retrieved 2011-10-05.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  32. Mushung, KJ. "Puller Pulls One Over Frederick". potomaclocal.com. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
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