Ben Fernandez (February 24, 1925 - April 25, 2000) was an American politician, financial consultant, World War II veteran, special ambassador, and America's first major-party presidential contender of Hispanic origin.
The candidacy of Fernandez was publicized again in light of comments from Governor of New Mexico Bill Richardson, a candidate in the 2008 presidential election, who claimed that he was the first ever Hispanic candidate. A reporter for the Albuquerque Journal discovered Fernandez's campaigns in 1980 and 1984, proving Richardson's comments to be a mistake.
Read more about Ben Fernandez: Early Life, Career, Political Involvement, Later Years