From Orange County, Calif., to Central Florida's own Orange County, moderation prevailed. So, too, did Hispanic candidates, such as Orange County Chairman-elect Mel Martinez.

Martinez wasn't the only Hispanic to win a local election with the support of a majority population that's not Latino. In San Jose, Calif., where Latinos make up only 14 percent of the voters, Ron Gonzales became that city's first Latino mayor since California became a state.

Hispanics are far from settled in either major political party, even though a majority nationwide are registered Democrat. Polls show that Hispanics vote based on a candidate's position on issues. That would explain why, in 1996, Dade County's predominantly Republican Cuban-Americans backed President Clinton.