Ricky Hurtado

Hope is a verb.

Ricky Hurtado is an American politician and educator from North Carolina, dedicated to advocating for education, low-income communities, and the Latino population. Born in the U.S. to Salvadoran parents who fled civil war, his upbringing in Sanford was shaped by both cultural pride and the struggle to belong.

As a Latino in a predominantly white town, Hurtado faced challenges, including moments that made him feel pressured to abandon his identity. He pursued higher education, earning a master’s in public policy from Princeton, where he realized his deep connection to the South and his desire to fight for North Carolina.

Becoming the first Latino Democrat elected to the state’s General Assembly, he now focuses on creating opportunities for marginalized communities. Hurtado believes that hope is a verb—change happens through collective action. His leadership serves as both a symbol of hope and a call to build a better future.