Candidates court Puerto Rican voters at Atardecer Borincano

Former City Councilor Felix D. Arroyo, a candidate for Suffolk County Register of Probate, speaks during an event at the Puerto Rican Veterans Monument Square while Sheriff Steve Tompkins looks on. (Banner photo) (Photo: Banner photo)

Accompanied by guitars and cuatros, Maria Flores sang Verde Luz, the anthemic song extolling Puerto Rico’s beauty. Candidates and their staff made their appeals to voters in the fenced-in Puerto Rican Veterans Monument Square in one of dozens of appearances the politicians made around the state Friday.

For many voters and electoral activists, it was not their first time meeting candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, sheriff and other offices that will appear on the ballot next Tuesday. But in an electoral season where the state’s Latino community could provide an important swing vote, multiple contacts with voters is important.

“It reminds people that their votes count, particularly in communities of color, where people want to feel appreciated,” said Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins. “Multiple appearances in our community let us know that our votes and our issues will not be taken for granted.”

The event, Atardecer Borincano (Puerto Rican evening), featured live musical performances and poetry recitals punctuated by candidates’ speeches.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Don Berwick made the rounds with state Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz, an early endorser. Near the opposite end of the state’s political spectrum, Republican Charlie Baker made his rounds, accompanied by political activists Regla Gonzalez and Juan Gomez. Independent gubernatorial candidate Evan Falchuck, whose parents were born in Venezuela, addressed the mostly Latino group in Spanish.

Also working the crowd were former City Councilor Felix D. Arroyo who is running for Suffolk County Register of Probate, Warren Tolman, a Democratic candidate for attorney general and Eric Estevez, a Democratic candidate for the 7th Suffolk District House seat.

The presence of the candidates among a gathering of fewer than 200, underscores the fierce competition for votes in this year’s state election cycle.

“Every year they’re going to have to pay more and more attention to us,” said Jaime Rodriguez, an organizer of last week’s event. “Every year we’re becoming more active and more aggressive about advocating for what our communities need.”

Latinos have become more active in political campaigns and in party politics, notes Juan Lopez, a co-chairman of the Latino Democratic Caucus, an organization of Latino Democratic Party activists.

“The election of Deval Patrick and President Obama increased our interest,” he said. “It’s our job to make sure people continue to turn out. We have to be active in every aspect of the political process so we’ll never be taken for granted again.”

Under Obama and Patrick, Lopez said, Latinos have been appointed to judgeships, cabinet positions and key posts in state and federal government.

“Obama has named more Latinos to judgeships than any president before him,” Lopez said. “We have to keep that momentum going. We have to make sure people understand that’s the way we make change happen. If we’re not vigilant, we can slip back. We have to be in every place where decisions are being made.”