It all begins with mobilizing.
Fuerza Democrats Tennessee is a state political action committee (PAC) formerly known as Middle Tennessee Hispanic Democrats, established to identify, organize, educate, and mobilize Latinos across the state of Tennessee and engage them in the political process.
Hispanic immigrants are dramatically changing the demographic and economic landscape of Tennessee. Based on information from the 2016 elections, about 322,000 Hispanics reside in Tennessee, 0.6% of all Hispanics in the United States. Tennessee's population is 5% Hispanic, the 37th largest Hispanic statewide population share nationally.
It is Fuerza’s intention to foster community development initiatives around Hispanic and Latino issues, constructing a tangible statewide network to promote collective action both at the ballot box and through legislative developments. Fuerza will also serve to promote Hispanic and Latino candidates through identifying prospective candidates, providing them the essential startup guidance, and direct financial support.
Board of Directors
Gabby Salinas, President
Gabby Salinas is a three-time cancer survivor, scientist, and healthcare advocate. Twenty-five years ago, her family immigrated from Bolivia to Memphis so that she could receive treatment at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. While a patient at St. Jude, Gabby fell in love with science. She went on to earn a BS in Biochemistry from Christian Brothers University and she's currently working towards her PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences through the University of Kentucky. Gabby previously ran for the TN Senate in 2018 and the TN House in 2020 to advocate for Medicaid expansion, increased public school funding, and fair wages. She credits her success to the Memphis community, she believes to whom much is given much is expected.
Robert D. Tuke, Treasurer
Mr. Tuke is a partner in the law firm of Trauger & Tuke in Nashville, Tennessee, and he has been an Adjunct Professor at Vanderbilt University School of Law, where has taught Professional and Ethical Considerations in Corporate Practice, among other courses.
Mr. Tuke is a Past President and Trustee of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. He is listed in Best Lawyers in America and Who’s Who in American Law. He also is listed among Super Lawyers of the Mid-South.
He received a B.A. with Distinction from the University of Virginia, and a J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law, where he Editor-in-Chief of the Vanderbilt Law Review, and a Patrick Wilson Merit Scholar. He was admitted to the Tennessee Bar in 1976 and before the United States Supreme Court in 1986. He served as a decorated Marine officer in Vietnam.
Mr. Tuke is President of the Board of TennGreen Land Conservancy and has served on the Board for several years. He has been active in environmental conservation and protection for many years. Mr. Tuke is a Leadership Nashville alumnus and a member of the Downtown Nashville Rotary Club.
Dylan Rivera
Dylan Rivera currently serves as the City of Chattanooga’s Director of Policy Planning and Implementation in Mayor Tim Kelly’s administration, marking the first-ever Latino appointed to a Mayor’s Office position in the City of Chattanooga’s history. His work directly impacts closing generational health, safety, and prosperity gaps in Chattanooga’s minority communities.
A first-generation graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, he studied public policy with a minor in criminal justice. Dylan’s previous roles include Director of Innovation Special Projects for the City of Chattanooga, Assistant Political Director for the Tim Kelly for Mayor Campaign, and Project Manager for the Southeast Tennessee Development District.
Dylan Rivera is also the first-ever Latino brother in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Psi Lambda chapter since its founding on May 15, 1926. Additionally, he volunteers as a board member for YCAP, an intervention program focusing on at-risk youth, serves as a member of Rotaract through the Chattanooga Rotary, and is the Southeast Tennessee representative for Fuerza, a political action committee working to advance Latino representation in political positions throughout the state.
Fabian Bedne
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Bedne studied architecture at the University of Buenos Aires, graduating in 1983. He moved to the United States in the 1990s as part of the Columbus (Ohio) Area International Program, a "training program that exchanges professionals from one country to another to develop and exchange ideas." He later became a citizen, taking his oath at the War Memorial Auditorium in Nashville.[
Arely Herrera
Arely Herrera is a Native Memphian with roots in Zacatecas, Mexico, and Los Angeles, California. After graduating with her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from The University of Memphis, she went on to receive her Master of Arts in Communication at Texas A&M University where she researched cultural communication forms of social criticism and empowerment. She has interned at the City of Memphis and Tennessee General Assembly and currently works as an Admissions Counselor for Diversity at Christian Brothers University. In her spare time, she is a painter, spoken word writer, digital storyteller, and social media organizer for 901artivistas, a page that spotlights Latinx entrepreneurship.
Gabby Salinas
Gabby Salinas is a three-time cancer survivor, scientist, and healthcare advocate. Twenty-five years ago, her family immigrated from Bolivia to Memphis so that she could receive treatment at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. While a patient at St. Jude, Gabby fell in love with science. She went on to earn a BS in Biochemistry from Christian Brothers University and she's currently working towards her PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences through the University of Kentucky. Gabby previously ran for the TN Senate in 2018 and the TN House in 2020 to advocate for Medicaid expansion, increased public school funding, and fair wages. She credits her success to the Memphis community, she believes to whom much is given much is expected.