Grace Diaz has become the first Dominican woman in US history to win a state office in the 2 November election. She is also only the sixth Dominican female ever elected overall (the remaining five are elected to city or county offices). Diaz was elected as State Representative in Rhode Island, while Ernesto Curiel was elected to the Carolina Municipal Assembly in Puerto Rico, making him the first Dominican to win an elected office in the city of Carolina and the just third Dominican ever to win elective office in the history of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
“We are very proud of the Dominicans who won their races on Election Day,” said Cid Wilson, the president of the Dominican American Round Table (DANR). He highlighted how the newly-elected officials contribute to empowering the Dominican community in the United States.
“It’s clear that Dominicans are taking a more active role in the American political system,” said Josefina Infante, the first Vice-President of DANR. “We believe that as the Dominican community has come together nationally, elected officials and candidates will continue to exercise best practices from around the country to successfully win elections to public office in their respective communities.”