The leader of the Partido Revolucionario Dominicano, and the party’scandidate to mayor for Santo Domingo, Dr. José Francisco PeñaGómez (the archives photograph shows the politician campaigning forPresident in 1996) passed away last night after suffering a pulmonary edema.On Friday, he got wet when participating in the inauguration of the WinstonChurchill Boulevard together with Mayor of Santo Domingo, Rafael SubervíBonilla.The 61-year old Peña Gómez died at 10:30 pm at his homeat Cambita Garabito, in San Cristóbal, about half an hour’s drivefrom Santo Domingo. Peña Gómez had been ill for two yearswith cancer of the pancreas.The great speaker, educator, poet, lawyer, writer and political tactician,unsuccessfully sought the presidency of the Republic in 1990 and 1994, losingto former President Joaquín Balaguer. He again was the candidateof the PRD in 1996, losing this time to today President Leonel Fernández,the candidate endorsed by Dr. Joaquín Balaguer.Secretary of the Presidency Danilo Medina said the government would declarethree days mourning. The PLD would suspend their political campaign in respectto Peña Gómez, said Medina. There are only three campaigndays remaining for the 16 May elections. Peña Gómez’s bodywas taken to the Olympic Stadium of the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center,where Dominicans can bid him farewell. His burial will be on Wednesday,13 May. President Leonel Fernández announced he would address thenation at noontime.Peña Gómez lead in voter’s preference in the polls forthe municipal elections that will be held on 16 May 1998. In the Hamilton& Staff poll published in the 11 May edition of Hoy newspaper, PeñaGómez had received 49% of the voter’s preference versus TV producerand comedian-turned politician, Roberto Salcedo, who had 33% of the vote.In third place, former mayor and TV producer, Rafael Corporán delos Santos received 10% of the vote.In his last interview published in the daily press, he told Hoy newspaperjournalist Asela Maria Lamarche: "It is logical that I win the elections,because I have spent my entire life fighting for this country, without requestinganything in return. Now I am trying to write my epilogue with the positionof mayor. I believe this country cannot deny me that possibility."Despite his illness, Peña Gómez chose to run for mayoras a solution to the impasse in the PRD between three factions that threatenedto divide the party, as each had a different candidate to mayor. He choseJohnny Ventura, who had been vice mayor during his first city governmentfrom 1982-1986, and congressman, in addition to being the most popular merengueorchestra director of all times, as his vice mayor. Party spokesmen saidthat Dr. José Francisco Peña Gómez’s name would appearon the ballot as the PRD candidate to mayor. It is yet to be seen if PeñaGómez’s choice as his replacement, Johnny Ventura will be confirmedas mayor once the elections are held and in the case that the PRD wouldwin the election.
