Tancredo spokesman leaving for job in Nicaragua

Rep. Tom Tancredo’s (R-Colo.) spokes­man is heading south of the border.

Carlos Espinosa, who has touted his boss’s anti-illegal immigration message during two stints in Tancredo’s office, plans to leave at the end of the month and pack his bags for a job in Nicaragua.

{mosads}The Texas native, whose Latino last name has helped deflect some of the charges of Hispanic-bashing directed at his soon-to-be-former boss, is going to work for the International Republican Institute (IRI), a conservative group that works in developing countries.

Espinosa and his wife, Carolina, who works for the anti-illegal immigration group NumbersUSA, will arrive in Central America in October.

In a note to friends and colleagues, Espinosa said people shouldn’t read too much into his move. Many in Colorado are trying to determine whether Tancredo will run for reelection, but Espinosa said his decision was not based on any inside information.

T.Q. Houlton, who handled press duties for Tancredo’s presidential campaign before becoming Espinosa’s deputy, will be the new spokesman.