With significant public funding for political activities, politics is a profitable career in the Dominican Republic. It has become a family business for many. The sons and daughters of politicians frequently join the bandwagon. The 2024 presidential and congressional election confirms “all in the family” is the norm for politics in the DR.
President Luis Abinader himself is a second-generation politician. His father was a senator for the Dominican Revolutionary Party and former Minister of Finance and Controller General. Abinader split from the PRD with former President Luis Abinader to first run for the presidency in 2016 on the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) ticket.
Now the PRM will have an absolute majority in both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.
Listin Diario and El Dia have been reporting on the new generation politicians who may have won congressional seats in these elections. The Central Electoral Board (JCE) is expected on Wednesday, 22 May 2024 to announce the winners of the deputy seats. Senator seats are won by the direct vote of the population, but deputy seats are allotted based on the number of votes a political party receives.
The offspring of politicians in leadership roles include:
Omar Fernandez, elected senator for the National District, is the son of former three-term President Leonel Fernandez.
Eudy Maldonado, deputy for the province of Santo Domingo, is the son of incumbent Fuerza del Pueblo deputy Ruben Maldonado, who has presided the Chamber of Deputies.
Charlie Noel Mariotti Paz, deputy for the PLD, is the son of Charlie Mariotti, former senator of Monte Plata (2006-2010, 2010-2016).
Starlin Vasquez, who is likely to have won a deputy position, is the son of Jesus Vasquez Martinez, former senator for Maria Trinidad Sanchez province and today Minister of Interior & Police.
Rogelio A. Genao Lanza is likely to hold a deputy seat for the PRM in La Vega. He is the son of senator- elect for La Vega Ramon Rogelio Genao. Genao had run for the PRSC ticket, once a PLD ally and now an ally of the ruling PRM. Ramon Rogelio Genao had served as deputy for five terms for the PRSC during 1994-1998, 1998-2002, 2002-2006, 2006-2010 and 2010-2016. Ramon Rogelio Genao moved to the Senate in 2016.
Jheyson G. Castillo, expected to be named deputy for the province of Santo Domingo for the PRM, is the son of former deputy and today Insurance, Josefa Castillo. Jheyson Castillo’s wife, Kinsberly Taveras, was may occupy another deputy seat also for the PRM. Kinsberly Taveras was President Luis Abinader’s first choice for Minister of Youth in 2020 but had to leave the position after investigative journalist Nuria Piera questioned the millions she presented on her worth statement for the position. State prosecutors never investigated the source of Taveras’ considerable wealth despite being her just known for serving in a small township government.
Olfanny Mendez, expected deputy for Bahoruco, is the daughter of PRM politician Francisco Mendez Batista (Igua). Daritza Zapata, running for deputy for the Partido Civico Renovador, a PRM ally, Dajabon, is the daughter of deputy Dario Zapata. She is employed in the Ministry of Public Administration.
Dharruely D’Aza, expected deputy for the PRM in Santiago, is the daughter of PRM deputy Victor D’Aza.
Onavel Aristy, expected deputy for La Altagracia province, is the son of the late PRSC and Partido Liberal Reformista politician Amable Aristy Castro.
Vicente Sanchez, son of Vicente Sanchez Baret, is expected to occupy a deputy seat for the PRM for the National District. His mother Yadira Henriquez is the present director of the National Social Welfare Plan of the Presidency.
El Dia recalls that others who were in Congress on the strength of their parents are Carlos Alberto Amarante, son of former PLD government Minister of Interior & Police and Education Carlos Amarante Baret.
Andres Emmanuel Bautista Taveras, son of former senator Andres Bautista for the PRD.
PLD deputy Victor Manuel Fadul, son of Jose Ramon (Monchy) Fadul, former Minister of Interior and Police and Labor, and former deputy for the PLD.
Orlando Jorge Villegas, who has served from 2020-2024 as deputy in Congress is the son of the late Minister of Environment Orlando Jorge Mera, and grandson of the late former President Salvador Jorge Mera.
Incumbent deputy Angel Teofilo Estevez is the son of former Minister of Agriculture and Environment Angel Estevez.
Take note that the deputies are elected on the strengths of the political party. Forecasts are for the ruling PRM party to have the votes to win 140 of the 190 seats in the Chamber of Deputies.
Read more in Spanish:
Listin Diario
Listin Diario
Listin Diario
Listin Diario
Listin Diario
El Dia
El Dia
Diario Libre
22 May 2024