Dominican fete demonstrates growing clout in politics in Rhode Island

“Sen. Juan M. Pichardo, D-Providence, the nation’s first native of the Dominican Republic to be elected to a state legislature, said it’s a sign of the growing voting strength of the city’s Dominican community.

“We are a small percentage [of the vote] but it makes an impact and it needs to be counted,” Pichardo said.

He noted that 10 years ago, voter turnout in the South Providence neighborhoods was 20 percent of the eligible voters, but today it is closer to 40 percent.”

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