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Hispanic groups endorse Mendez for Paterson mayor | Paterson Times

Hispanic groups endorse Mendez for Paterson mayor

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Councilman Alex Mendez received the backing of two Hispanic organizations, which his campaign views as significant endorsements, at the steps of the historic City Hall on Saturday afternoon.

Mendez beat out councilman Andre Sayegh, the only other candidate to seek the backing of the National Dominican American Council and the Political Action Committee of the Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey.

“Mr. Mendez impressed us as a true leader, a businessman whose commitment has always has been to selflessly serve others,” said Albert Anton of the Political Action Committee of the Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey. “His campaign emphasis hasn’t been on fundraising, as it is for most candidates, but rather on talking and listening to the concerns of voters.”

“By all measures, no other candidate in this campaign compares to Alex Mendez,” said Leodany Inojosa, president of the National Dominican American Council.

Mendez, who marched up the steps of the City Hall with about 100 supporters chanting, “Alex! Alex! Alex!,” thanked both groups for their support. An upbeat Spanglish song urged people to vote for Mendez. “Are you ready?” begins the song in English before changing to Spanish. “We only need to vote once. Alex Mendez it is.”

“Those respectable organization leaders came together to endorse me because they believe I can provide the leadership the City of Paterson needs now,” said Mendez. He promised improved public safety and more economic development. “We’re going to make history on May 8th.”

Mendez is one of two men of Dominican origin running for mayor. The other is Pedro Rodriguez. Both have a chance to become the city’s first mayor of Dominican background.

Both groups also endorsed school board member Flavio Rivera for an at-large council seat. Rivera is one of 14 people seeking three available council seats.

“Mr. Rivera impressed us as a young visionary leader who is pragmatic and capable,” said Inojosa.

“Being a Latino of Dominican descent it’s an honor,” said Rivera. “I’m going to make sure, when elected, the decisions are made with the best interest of the community in mind.”

Maria Teresa Feliciano, president of the Political Action Committee of the Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey, said there was a “rigorous interview” process that led to the mayoral endorsement.

Out of the six men running for mayor, Sayegh and Mendez sought the two groups’ endorsements, said Feliciano.

Sayegh said the people, who conducted his interview, told him his presentation was well made. He said people in the room told him his presentation was “vastly superior” to Mendez’s.

“I’m just hoping the process was fair,” said Sayegh.

Rodriguez does not view the endorsements, described by Mendez as “significant,” as major endorsements.

“That’s Maria Teresa. Both are Maria Teresa. They have no traction. It’s just soundbite. It doesn’t have any weight in the race,” said Rodriguez. He did not seek the support of either of the groups.

Rodriguez said both groups backed former governor Chris Christie, who had a scandalous second-term, for re-election. He said Feliciano, who ran for mayor four years ago, had the backing of both groups, but ended up with just 1,500 votes.

Feliciano finished sixth place in an eight-person race four years ago.

“I’ve been getting endorsed by people on the ground, people who know the issues. I don’t need any politician’s endorsement,” said Rodriguez.

Email: [email protected]

This report was updated at 6:30 p.m.

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  • Dominick Perez

    He can't even pay his water bill on time LMFAO. He has lowlife scumbag written all over him, although none of the crooks running for Mayor aren't much better. Paterson is a shithole and will only get worse. The best thing you can do if you live in that shithole is save up to move out of there.

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