Hearing the news of her death on Sunday, I couldn't help but think of another star, Tejano singer Selena, who was poised to make an impact on American culture when she was killed 17 years ago.

CNN: America missed out on getting to know Jenni Rivera

Mr Bush won roughly 40% of the Latino vote when he was re-elected in 1998, and he and other Republicans are careful to pander to Latinos by speaking Spanish, enjoying Tejano culture and being friendly to Mexico.

ECONOMIST: Democrats in Texas

The craggy Charles Bronson vaqueros, Hispanic cowboys with their fancy rodeo shirts and Stetsons, and the Tejano bands playing the mix-and-match sound of chilli: shades of country and western, mariachi, blues - even a dash of Bavaria with the accordions.

BBC: The perfect chilli con carne in the heart of Texas