CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- As the Democratic party makes preparations for its 2012 convention here in Charlotte, political strategist for both political parties are going through the U.S. census figures to determine what the Hispanic growth over the last ten years will mean for local, state and national elections. Typical of what happened at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish and Hispanic Center in Northwest Charlotte this past decade, the Hispanic population doubled, not only in urban but also rural North Carolina.

One consequence of that growth, according to political analysts, is that Hispanics will have more political clout. And not just with one issue, like immigration reform, or one political party.  

"When we talk about the immigrant community, the Latino community, they're not just concerned about immigration," said Ruben Campillo from the Latin American Coalition.  "They're an integral part of this community," and according to Campillo, they also care about a broad range of issues, from education and taxes to health care. "I find that Latinos in the community do positive efforts in trying to do the best for the community and helping out," said Kayla Negron, who with her fiancee Antonio Cocone, plan to get married at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. They just haven't picked the date.

According to various polls, just over a quarter of Hispanics describe themselves as conservative.  They vote on family and life issues because of their spiritual beliefs, and they want smaller government and less taxes because many Hispanics also own a small business.