Rep. Lloyd Doggett has been a loyal ally of the Hispanic community during his nearly four-decade political career. One of the last remaining Anglo Democratic House members in Texas, he is facing a post-redistricting primary challenge from Democratic state Rep. Joaquin Castro, a 37-year-old Hispanic rising star, in a race for a newly created, San Antonio-area Hispanic majority seat.

Rapid Latino population growth and a smattering of newly created Latino House districts across the country are giving the group a chance to amplify its voice in Congress. But talk to Latino leaders, and you won’t hear a whole lot of optimism about 2012.