MAPA victim of its own success

California's oldest Latino political organization may be facing its last hurrah, having become a victim of its own success. Tony Castro in the Daily News.

In recent years, the Mexican American Political Association has seen the dismantling of many of its chapters, in part due to the enormous success Latinos have had over the past several decades entering political office.

"MAPA was an important organization that was formed when there were hardly any Latino elected officials," said James Acevedo, regarded by many as the godfather of Latino politics in the San Fernando Valley.

MAPA's reputation in California is also suffering as its controversial state president fights to stay out of jail for alleged voter registration fraud.