Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz Refuses for Hispanics to Forgo Leadership in the New York State Senate

September 15, 2010

For Immediate Release

Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz Refuses for Hispanics to Forgo Leadership in the New York State Senate

Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz (D-32) has issued the following statement in regard to the Democratic Primary results:

“As the Chair of the New York State Senate Puerto Rican/Latino Caucus, I must insist that since the voters of Senator Pedro Espada’s district have lost him as their Senator, New York’s Hispanic community must not also lose the leadership roles he had while in the State Senate.

Senator Espada served as Chair of the Senate Housing Committee, and more importantly, as the Senate Majority Leader. I will not accept a “one step forward, two steps backwards” approach toward participatory democracy for Hispanics in the Senate.  I urge the Senate leadership and my Senate colleagues to select a Hispanic Senator to fill those positions.

I want it understood by my supporters and to my critics that I am not interested in either of those roles and I will not accept them even if offered.

I do believe that my colleagues , Senator Martin Malave Dilan, Senator Jose Peralta, Senator Jose Serrano, as well as Gustavo Rivera and Adriano Espaillat - who won last night’s election and will likely be sworn into office in January - should be selected to serve in these leadership positions.”