New generations of politicians learned the work from the parents. Luis Abinader, the man to beat in the May 2020 presidential election, is the son of the late leader of the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD), José Rafael Abinader, who was Minister of Finance, senator and on several occasions ran for the presidential nomination of his party, without succeeding. Abinader built a major business in university education, and other businesses in cement and tourism.
Then there is Omar Fernández, son of former President Leonel Fernández, who is running for deputy for the National District. He is known as his father’s son. Omar has stated that to reach the father, people have to go by way of the son. He is running for legislator on the Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC) ticket, and has a good chance at getting a seat in Congress.
Carolina Mejía is running for mayor of the National District for the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM). She is the general secretary of the party and was a vice presidential candidate in the 2016 elections, running with Luis Abinader. When her father, Hipolito Mejía, was President (2000-2004), she was a close collaborator.
Faride Raful, congresswoman and candidate to the senate of the capital for the PRM, is the daughter of Tony Raful, who is a former president of the PRD, former deputy and former Minister of Culture. Before running for the senate seat for the National District, Raful has had four years of experience as a deputy and has one of the highest profiles of deputies.
N Digital also tells of several other new generation offspring of politicians that are getting their start or aspire to continue in the legislature. These are: Rogelio Alfonso Genao Lanza, son of the general secretary of the PRSC, Ramón Rogelio Genao; Carlos Amarante Baret García, son of Carlos Amarante Baret, former presidential candidate of the PLD and former Minister of Education; as well as Jean Luis Rodríguez, offspring of Roberto Rodríguez, former director of the Instituto Nacional de Aguas Potables, during the government of Hipólito Mejía.
Juan Manuel Ventura, son of the Minister of Public Administration and member of the Political Committee of the PLD, Ramón Ventura Camejo is also running for a congressional seat.
Jandy Ventura aspires to be a deputy in the National District. He is the son of the former-mayor of Greater Santo Domingo, Johnny Ventura. Ventura is the candidate for mayor for the National District for La Fuerza del Pueblo, the party that is backing former President Leonel Fernández’s aspirations to a fourth term in office.
N Digital in its report on families in politics, mentions several offspring that are making a career in municipal positions. These include Karina Aristy, who has several terms as mayor of Higuey and is the daughter of senator and former PRSC presidential candidate, Amable Aristy Castro.
Then there is John Paul Jones who aspires to be PLD councilor in the National District. He is the son of Johnny Jones, general secretary of the Dominican Municipal League, former general secretary and current member of the Political Committee of the PRSC.
Víctor Gómez Bergés brings two generations of politicians. His son, Victor Gomez Casanova, was a congressman in the National District and director of the Port Authority and his grandson, Edwin Gomez, aspires to be mayor for the PRD in the National District.
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N Digital
11 December 2019