Latino Leaders Divided Over Caprio

Latino Leaders Divided Over Caprio

Democratic candidate Frank Caprio’s support among the Latino community came into question this week after Providence En Espanol announced that the Rhode Island Political Action Committee had endorsed independent candidate Lincoln Chafee over him in the race for governor.

On Friday, the same day the endorsements were announced, Tomas Alberto Avila (pictured with Caprio), a past president of RILPAC touted Caprio’s interview with Acontecer Latino, in which the General Treasurer said he was “very contented to have the support of the Latino community.”

Tony Affigne, a professor of political science at Providence College and a member of RILPAC, said Caprio’s initial support for Gov. Don Carcieri’s executive order requiring that state police help enforce federal immigration laws had hurt his standing among some leaders in the Latino community.

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“I am quite certain that Caprio’s somewhat surprising stance on immigration and immigration enforcement had to be part of the reason for that endorsement,” Affigne told GoLocalProv. “Most of us find Caprio’s position curious to say the least. I wouldn’t necessarily predict that that means he won’t win the Latino vote—a majority of it or at least a plurality of it.”

Affigne said that it hadn’t helped that Caprio wasn’t able to attend an in-person interview with RILPAC, while Chafee did. Caprio spokesman Nick Hemond said he wasn’t able to make it because of a scheduling conflict, but he said the campaign did respond to a questionnaire that RILPAC sent out.

RILPAC ended up passing over Caprio for Chafee, who has said he would rescind the controversial executive order. Yesterday, Affigne wondered whether Caprio would modify or change his position as the election drew closer.

Hemond said the General Treasurer would not. “We’re going to follow the law and not pick and choose which laws we’re going to follow,” Hemond said.

In the interview with Acontecer Latino, Caprio did not mention the executive order. Instead, he criticized the controversial Arizona law on immigration, saying illegal immigration was a federal matter, rather than a state issue.

Hemond added that first as a state rep and then a state senator, Caprio had represented Latino communities in the General Assembly. He said Caprio had a record of fighting for affordable housing and community development efforts. “Frank has fought hard over the years for the Latino community and he’s going to continue to stand on his record,” Hemond said.

Caprio and Chafee’s positions illegal immigration won’t necessarily swing Latino voters to support one over the other according to Affigne, who said they also care about the state of the economy, unemployment, and access to educational opportunities.

“It remains to be seen how these two gentlemen will campaign in the Latino community and how they will refine their positions as the election in November draws near,” Affigne said.