DC Mayoral Candidates Seek Latino Support

The five major candidates for D.C. mayor pledged last week duringthe first political forum organized by the city’s rapidly growing Latinocommunity to appoint Latinos to the highest levels of District government.

About 350 people packed the auditorium of the Carlos RosarioInternational Career Center and Public Charter School in Columbia Heights tohear the candidates, who also vowed to fix failing public schools, open centersfor day laborers and fund more health clinics for immigrant communities.

They also tackled the prickly issue of wealthy whites moving intolow-income black and Latino neighborhoods, a topic that drew emotion from thecrowd.

“You and I know every condo throughout the city is not beingbuilt for me and you,” asserted a young man who rose to question thecandidates. “Two years from now, there will be no Latinos living in D.C.,so what are you planning to do to keep us here?”

The candidates, all Democrats, had no easy answers. But all five– council Chairman Linda W. Cropp, lobbyist Michael A. Brown, council membersAdrian M. Fenty (Ward 4) and Vincent B. Orange Sr. (Ward 5), and former VerizonWashington president Marie C. Johns — were quick to promise to hire Latinos ifelected mayor.

“I absolutely will elevate Latinos throughout thegovernment,” said Orange, who has pledged to include Latinos in hisCabinet. “If there’s 12 percent [citywide], our government will represent12 percent.”

About 53,000 Latinos livein Washington, according to the D.C. Latino PAC, a new political actioncommittee that organized the forum. The group plans to endorse a candidateApril 27.

Source: Washington Post, Mar. 10, 2006
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