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The first gubernatorial debate on Hispanic issues will not be the state’s last, say many Hispanics – Delaware’s fastest-growing minority.
For Maria Matos, executive director of the Latin American Community Center in Wilmington, it may be difficult for Delaware leaders to ignore the state’s Spanish-speaking voices.
“We’re listening. We’re watching. No longer can our community be taken for granted. We vote and educate ourselves,” said Matos, whose organization co-sponsored an inaugural gubernatorial debate on Hispanic issues Wednesday, July 30.
Providing Spanish-speaking students with more opportunities for higher education, issuing driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants and filling the governor’s cabinet with more Hispanics were among the key issues raised at Dover Downs.
Democratic gubernatorial candidates Lt. Gov. John Carney and State Treasurer Jack Markell, along with Republican candidate and New Castle pilot Mike Protack, presented their platforms on education, health issues and business development for Hispanics.
Mexican-born Fernando Guajardo is an American citizen who owns a dry-cleaning business in Lewes. “As soon as I walked in the room, I felt the energy. Hispanic issues need to be addressed. We’re making history here for the first time. And, I see brown and white faces,” he said.
In 2006, about 56,000 Hispanics lived in the Delaware – nearly 7 percent of the state’s population – according to the Pew Research Center.
La Esperanza of Georgetown, a Hispanic support agency, and the Wilmington-based organization Voices Without Borders, jointly hosted the debate, along with the Latin American Community Center.
The Red Clay School District provided radio-controlled devices for a handful of non-English-speaking attendees, who took advantage of the simultaneous interpretation.
Markell introduced himself in Spanish, saying he would move the state in a new direction and that he envisions an American dream that includes those whose first language is not English.
Carney said we’re a nation of immigrants citing his help in expanding Westside Health Center, which serves many Wilmington-area Hispanics.
“We’re all from different boats, but we’re in the same boat now,” said Carney.
Protack said he wants to lead a movement of vast social change, which includes Hispanics. He vowed to fight discrimination and protect families.
Moderated by Havidan Rodriguez, provost of the University of Delaware, all candidates agreed that Delaware should not issue driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants. They say the state should follow federal policy and law.
Undocumented immigrants who live in Delaware should pay in-state tuition at public universities, the candidates agreed. Carney said the SEED scholarship program, which guarantees two years of community college tuition free, should include the foreign-born.
Protack said, “You can’t solve this long problem of history with documented and undocumented on the backs of children.”
For Markell, promoting education is also key to help kids go as far as they can go. He suggested increasing scholarship opportunities for them too.
Absent from the debate was former Superior Court Judge Bill Lee, who said, “I don’t see any reason to get into a debate with two Democratic candidates.” In recent weeks, Lee, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, said he favored issuing driver’s licenses to undocumented residents to track the foreign-born. He later retracted his suggestion, but soon said he will be ready to debate statewide issues again after Democrats decide their gubernatorial challenger in the Sept. 9 primaries.
Ariadna Clare, a Panamanian-born American citizen said, “I’m so worried about education and the need for our students to learn English and to also know the educational system.” Clare, a Democrat from Newark, attended the debate, but left unsure who she would vote for. For Dominican-born American citizen Miguel Almonte of Wilmington, Carney has a proven record of helping Hispanics as lieutenant governor. “I’ve know him for a long time,” said Almonte, who said he would vote for Carney.
Guajardo said he doesn’t agree with the policy of not issuing licenses to undocumented immigrants.
But, he said, Markell speaks from his heart. “He has my vote,” Guajardo said.
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