Amy Klobuchar Tells Culinary Workers Union Her Name in Spanish Class Was 'Elena'

Sen Amy Klobuchar introduced herself to the Las Vegas Culinary Workers Union on February 18 by referencing the name once given to her in fourth-grade Spanish class.

“My name is Amy and when I took Spanish in fourth grade my name was Elena,” she said, before adding something about not being able to roll her Rs.

She continued by saying, “I stand on the shoulders of immigrants myself.”

The quote and video of her remarks were widely shared online following the event.

The Culinary Workers Union Local 226 represents 60,000 workers in Las Vegas and Reno. It describes itself as “Nevada’s largest immigrant organization” with Latino workers making up 54 percent of its members.

The union announced on February 13 that it would not endorse a candidate ahead of the February 22 Democratic caucus.

Klobuchar’s remarks come two days after she was unable to name the Mexican president in an interview with Telemundo.

The Minnesota senator is currently polling at 5 percent among Latino voters in Nevada, according to a poll conducted by Mason-Dixon polling and Telemundo on February 18. Credit: Culinary Workers Union via Storyful