Pascrell supporters quietly rejoiced in U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman’s (D-9) decision to publicly claim the endorsements of key members of DOPOR (Dominican Political Representation) in the city.
DOPOR, including Councilmen Rigo Rodriguez and Julio Tavarez, in 2010 backed Felix Garcia, the Republican candidate for sheriff.
“I backed Garcia, but not the Republican ticket,” said Tavarez. “I voted for the person, not the party.”
Rothman has spent a considerable portion of his campaign trying to distinguish himself as the progressive alternative to his Democratic Primary nemesis, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-9). His collection of the endorsements of Rodriguez and Tavarez, who in a general election backed a Republican candidate in opposition to the Democratic Party, contradict that campaign narrative, say critics, who call members of the group “Dominican Republicans.”
The endorsement is further complicated by the presence of Rodriguez, who still faces allegations of 2010 voter fraud with the state Attorney General’s Office.
Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly (D-35) yesterday told PolitickerNJ.com that Rothman’s decision to embrace the Dominican organization will help galvanize other sections of Paterson voters on Election Day.
