State Green Party Press Release

Rhode Island Green Party

Rhode Island Latino PAC Endorses Green Party Candidate for State Senate.

Jeff Toste (G) - Senate Dist. 5
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 24, 2002

CONTACTS:
Jeff Toste for State Senate (401) 751-5596
Tim McKee, Green Party of RI (401) 273-2763
Nellie Gorbea, RILPAC (401) 885-0607

STATEWIDE LATINO PAC ENDORSES GREEN CANDIDATE FOR STATE SENATE

Providence, RI (Oct. 17) - In an unprecedented move for a statewide Latino political federation, anywhere in the nation, the Rhode Island Latino Political Action Committee (RILPAC) has endorsed Green Party candidate Jeff Toste for the upper house of Rhode Island's legislature, selecting Toste over 12-year incumbent, and influential Finance Committee chairman, Frank Caprio, Jr.

As the state's premier Latino political coalition, RILPAC's endorsement of the Green Party's Toste - and of Republican Stephen Laffey for mayor of Cranston, Rhode Island's third-largest city - has rattled Democratic party leaders, despite RILPAC's having endorsed Democratic candidates for governor, general treasurer, secretary of state, attorney general, and Providence mayor.

"Jeff Toste clearly showed an understanding and connection with the Latino community in his district," said Nellie Gorbea, President of RILPAC. "We are sure that District 5 and Rhode Island will benefit greatly from Jeff's leadership in the State Senate."

Tony Affigne, RILPAC vice president and Rhode Island delegate to the Green Party's national committee, said the Latino endorsement demonstrates the Green Party's growing power in communities of color. "We expect endorsements like this all across the country," he said, "as Latino, African American, Asian Pacific American and Native communities learn more about the Green Party and its commitment to social justice, ecological wisdom, inclusive democracy, and peace."

Toste's support in Providence's 5th Senate District, which includes Federal Hill, the historic heart of the state's Italo-American immmigrant community - but whose population is now more than 40% Hispanic - has grown dramatically in recent weeks. Toste has been endorsed by the Sierra Club of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island chapter of NOW, and the Million Mom March.

After the RILPAC endorsement, Toste pledged to be "accountable, proactive and respectful of the needs of the entire community. With this support I will work to create and improve economic, educational, environmental as well as health and safety legislation that addresses concerns from an inclusive community perspective. We need more voices representing Latinos," he said. "I am one of those voices."

http://www.votetoste.com/