First Latino Mayor Elected in Lawrence, Mass.

William Lantigua (center), the new mayor-elect of Lawrence, Mass., talks in Spanish and English to his supporters on Election Day night, Nov. 3, 2009. (photo: RumboNews.com)

(Tuesday, 3 November 2009) – William Lantigua has become the first Latino mayor-elect today in Lawrence, Mass., a city 25 miles (40 km) north of Boston.

Lantigua, who is a state representative, has defeated opponent David Abdoo, 54 percent to 46 percent, according to New England Cable News (necn.com).

Born in the Dominican Republic, Lantigua did not earn support easily from Latinos, who make up approximately 70 percent of Lawrence residents, according to the US Census.  After his victory in the September preliminary election, some Latino leaders and voters in Lawrence opposed his candidacy, reported Spanish-language El Planeta. 

Lantigua refused to publicly debate Abdoo and publicly reveal his positions on issues.  Two weeks ago, he announced his platform to members of the Latino community, reported Lawrence, Mass.-based Rumbo, a bilingual Spanish-English newspaper.  At the meeting, some of his former mayoral opponents joined him in support, including Israel Reyes, Marcos Devers and Patrick Blanchette

At his victory party tonight, Lantigua addressed his supporters in Spanish and English, speaking in Spanish about pride and in English about “the great city of Lawrence,” reported NECN.

Lantigua was not available for comment.

Source:  New England Ethnic Newswire, EthnicNEWz.orgCopyright 2009  New England Ethnic Newswire, EthnicNEWz.org.  All rights reserved.  NEWz media partners are welcome to republish or broadcast this material.  Please credit (and link to) New England Ethnic Newswire, EthnicNEWz.org.  E-mail inquiries or press releases to NEWz at EthnicNews (@) yahoo (.) com.Follow EthnicNEWz.org on Twitter at Twitter.com/EthnicNEWZorg.

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