Donald Trump is the Only One Who Has Responded

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz District 32 Bronx County, New York Tel 718-991-3161 

Donald Trump is the Only One Who Has Responded

You should know that there are 17 Republican Candidates who have declared their intentions to run for the Presidency of the United States of America. They all claim – like the Democrats – that they love, respect and want to get close to the Hispanic community.  They all want to get the Hispanic vote.

It is a well-known fact that the Hispanic community is the most sought after, but receives the least attention during presidential elections. Historically, elected officials don’t pay attention to the needs of Hispanic and minority communities after being elected.

It is well known that the Republican Party’s practice is to just give up on the Hispanic and minority community based upon the assumption that they will never get the Hispanic vote. Republicans don’t spend their resources, time, energy or make any effort to campaign or even visit Hispanic areas in the nation, especially New York City.

On the other hand, you should know that Democrats are no better because when they get elected, they don’t pay too much attention to the Hispanic communities either.  Democrats assume that Hispanics are Democrats and have no place else to go, and that we Hispanics will all always be Democrats and never cross party lines. This is a special dilemma for the Hispanic community.

Democrats don’t give high ranking appointments to Hispanics in their Administrations and most of the time, they ignore our needs.  By the same token, Republicans concede that Hispanics are Democrats and they shouldn’t be bothered because Republicans will never get the Hispanic vote.

It is important for you to know that because of this dilemma, I have always tried to invite every candidate to come and visit the South Bronx, walk the streets, see our community and meet with the Hispanic ministers here. I have offered this opportunity to Republican candidates and they have always refused.

For example, this year I have invited major Presidential Candidates, including Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and Donald Trump to the South Bronx.

On March 26, 2015 I wrote a What You Should Know column titled “Imagine Ted Cruz Coming to the South Bronx” to publicly invite him.  On May 18, 2015 I sent a letter of invitation to Marco Rubio to come to the South Bronx.  On June 24, 2015, I sent a letter of invitation to Donald Trump. (A copy of my letter to him is attached.)

You should know that the only one who has shown some kind of respect and interest has been Donald Trump.  Donald Trump personally called me and told me that he will definitely work something out with me to visit the Bronx.

To be fair to New York State Republicans, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino did come to our community when he was running for Governor last year – several times! Former Governor Pataki also came to the Bronx when he was running.  In fact, when George Pataki became Governor, he funded the Reverend Ruben Diaz Plaza, a 59-unit low-income family building.  For the record: they didn’t forget the Bronx.

And we must not ignore the efforts that were made during the past two years when the New York State Republican Party Committee Chair Ed Cox donated Christmas toys for the children of the South Bronx.

Ladies and gentlemen, while some Republicans in New York State have finally begun to open their eyes and have stopped taking us for granted in our community, Republicans throughout the nation still show little concern for us.

I hope that the words Donald Trump said to me become a reality while he is on top of the polls, because if he waits to visit the South Bronx after his poll numbers go down, his visit won't look sincere enough. 

I am State Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.