Dominicans consolidate their political power in the U.S. with key victories in the federal Congress

Several candidates of Dominican origin achieved historic victories in the United States midterm elections held this Tuesday, marking the first time a woman from the Quisqueyan diaspora has occupied a seat in the federal Congress.

The Dominican representation in the United States House of Representatives will be led by Darializa Ávila Chevalier, who secured victory in New York’s 13th District under the Democratic Party banner.

You can read: Who is Darializa Ávila Chevalier? Democratic candidate for the U.S. Congress

Ávila Chevalier obtained 89,781 votes, equivalent to 87.9% of the ballots, becoming the first woman of Dominican descent to reach the U.S. Congress after having previously defeated veteran legislator Adriano Espaillat in the primary elections.

Son of Tonty Rutinel triumphs in American politics

Likewise, Democrat Tonty Enmanuel “Manny” Rutinel won Colorado’s 8th District with 117,437 votes (56.0%), surpassing Republican candidate Gabe Evans and making the leap from the state legislature to the federal congress.

For her part, Congresswoman Analilia Mejía, with a Dominican father and a Colombian mother, secured her reelection for a full two-year term in New Jersey’s 11th District for the Democratic Party, by capturing 41,881 votes (69.6%).

At the local level in New York State, legislators of Dominican descent reaffirmed their strong leadership in the districts of Manhattan and The Bronx.

Assembly members Manny de los Santos, George Álvarez, Amanda Séptimo, Karines Reyes, and Yudelka Tapia will remain in their respective seats.

At the Judicial level, Justice Manuel J. Méndez appeared in the race to continue his duties on the New York Supreme Court, representing the Hispanic presence on the Manhattan ballot.

With these election results, the Dominican community in the United States consolidates its political and institutional influence in the main power structures of the North American country.