Civic Revolutionary Party (in yellow and green hats) show support to Danilo
By Lennin Reyes
The Bronx Journal Staff Writer
Earlier this month, candidates for the presidency of the Dominican Republic visited New York to court the vote of Dominican-born citizens living here. One was Dominican Liberation Party candidate Danilo Medina, who was received by more than 3,000 supporters at a standing-room-only event at the United Palace in Washington Heights.
While that neighborhood is considered to be the heart of New York’s Dominican community, Dominicans came from across the state, including the Bronx, to support their candidate. “The PLD [Dominican Liberation Party] has done well in the presidency for the past eight years,” Melvin Trinidad. He also spoke about the progress made by incumbent Leonel Fernandez, also of the PLD. “No one wants to go back to the days of corruption and poverty.”
Dominicans abroad earned the right to vote in the Dominican presidential elections in 2004, and the demographic has become increasingly important as their numbers have grown. “The number of eligible Dominican voters grew from 52,500 in 2004 to 380,000 in 2012,” Ramon Santana, Campaign Coordinator for the Bronx branch of the Dominican Liberation Party, said.
“This number grew rapidly because of dual citizenship,” said Orquidea Taveras of the PLD’s external sector. “Dominicans are now able to apply for citizenship of both the United States and the Dominican Republic.”
Carmen Dean of the PLD’s Female Sector
One major reason why Medina is gaining popularity is his running mate, Margarita Cedeño de Fernandez, who happens to be the incumbent’s wife. “When a child misbehaves, mothers whip them into shape,” Carmen Dean of the PLD’s female sector said. “With Margarita as vice president, we hope to do the same against the PRD [Dominican Revolutionary Party and their candidate, Hipolito Mejia].”
Dominican Presidential Candidate Danilo Medina
Another advantage working in Medina’s favor is the support he receives from other parties, such as the Christian Reformist Social Party and the Civic Revolutionary Party. While the PRSC would send out their own candidate in elections past, they did not do so to avoid Medina losing to Mejia once again. “Mejia defeated Medina in 2000 because of other candidates,” members of the PRSC shouted. “It’s not going to happen again.” They hope so, as Medina and his party set their sights on Sunday, May 20 — election day.
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