BY: NAOMY TINEO
Staff Writer
November 2, 2018
In this upcoming midterms election, underdogs and fierce diverse competitors are hitting the headlines as they run for the Senate.
Senator Bob Menendez, a strong and an important figure in the Latinx community, is currently running for reelection in New Jersey. Many Latinxs and Hispanics have looked up to Menendez for reshaping their lives for the better, especially many immigrants who were able to gain their citizenship through him.
Throughout the years of being in office, Menendez has aggressively fought for the rights of immigrants and advocated for them countlessly. Many immigrants gained respect for Menendez and look to him for inspiration and guidance to achieve a better life once they become Americans. However, his reputation is questioned in light of recent events.
In recent news of the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, where many women and men are speaking out against their assaulters, Menendez was one of the politicians that was accused of having affairs with underage hookers in the Dominican Republic. Though the charges were dropped, the case may ultimately change many perspectives that Latinx have of him.
Senior Derek Rodriguez is both Cuban and El Salvadorian and thinks that the constant coverage of candidates and their unsavory behavior can change the way voters feel about them on a day-to-day basis.
“Negative publicity will always have an effect in people’s minds,” Rodriguez said, “especially when you look at television commercials for both [candidates]. Both senators have a lot of bad publicity…but I think people have to choose for themselves who to vote for.”
In 2017-2018 many people in power have come down from the top after multiple accusations of sexual harassment, misconduct, and assault. These powerful men include Les Moonves from CBS, film director Harvey Weinstein and Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Though Kavanaugh won his nomination, his actions and responses to the accusations have left some Americans questioning his credibility.
Senior Hanna Arostegui opposes what Menendez did, but feels as though she needs to support the Democratic Party.
“I think what Bob Menendez did was bad,” Arostegui said. “I will still vote Bob Menendez over Bob Hugin because he’s a Democrat and with all the things that are happening right now… I think we need a fair chance for [a] Democrat to be voted in.”
With some voters choosing to support the Democratic Party, Menendez will still have some of the support he’s gained over the years, even if voters must reluctantly support him. It’s possible that the Latinx community can determine whether or not Menendez wins this Nov. 6, but his future post-midterms remains uncertain.
Photo by Vox
