Whoever is a presidential candidate could assume the leadership of the PLD, even if he does not win the 2024 elections
The Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) set the election for the presidential candidacy for October 16 through a “consultation” that will confront six leaders of the organization seeking to lead the PLD ticket for the 2024 elections. Abel Martínez , Margarita Cedeño, Francisco Domínguez Brito, Karen Ricardo, Maritza Hernández and Luis de Leon, make up the group that competes, but the battle is focused on the first three, it even looks more competitive between Cedeño and Martínez.
In the PLD consultation, all those registered in the national electoral register have the right to vote, except those who are registered in other parties, but even those who have dual affiliation will be allowed to exercise the right to vote. Given this universe of voters, Martínez is ahead in terms of structure, which is essential to guarantee electoral success, but Cedeño is ahead of him in voting intentions.
Perhaps the key to the success of the projects lies in the fact that they will have more influence on the PLD’s “consultation”, the spontaneous vote or the carry vote. In the first scenario, Cedeño has the advantage over Martínez and Domínguez Brito, but in the latter, he lags behind both and Martínez has the lead over Cedeño and Domínguez Brito.
Who’s who in the competition? What does each one count on to guarantee the success of their project at the meeting on October 16?
According to data published by Martínez and neither Cedeño’s campaign nor Domínguez Brito’s has denied it, the mayor of Santiago has the support of 61.54% of the municipal, provincial and constituency presidents. Even the leader of the PLD publishes the list of supporters with names included and has not been denied. Domínguez Brito has 26.28% and Cedeño 12.18%.
Martínez also affirms that he has the support of 218 of the 421 aldermen that the PLD currently has, which represents 51.78%; Domínguez Brito 69, Cedeño 41 and 93 have not been defined. According to data from the mayor of Santiago, of 83 district directors that the PLD has, it has the support of 74; Domínguez Brito, eight and Cedeño, two.
Of 48 mayors that the PLD has, it affirms that it has 30, 13 have not been defined, while Margarita is supported by two and Domínguez Brito, three. Of 59 deputies that the PLD has, Abel has the support of 39, and his competitors, seven each, while there are six that do not support any. Martínez has waged important political battles within the PLD and then outside, in which he has emerged victorious.
The first time he ran for mayor of Santiago in 2016, he waged an internal battle against the government of the then president, Danilo Medina, who supported the aspirations of Monchy Rodríguez (deceased) and won.
In the 2020 elections, when the PLD suffered a defeat at all levels, Martínez managed to retain the municipal seat of Santiago.
Cedeno’s strategy
Cedeño has achieved more support abroad and is equal to his competitors in the Political Committee.
Questioned on this issue, Frank Olivares, from Cedeño’s campaign, maintained that the former vice president’s strategy focuses on a more grassroots approach to the organization. In fact, the PLD leader frequently publishes photos of her meetings with figures from the PLD and outside the PLD who support her in her aspirations for the presidency of the Republic.
“We designed a campaign more focused on the middle leaders, on the base of the Party and on society in general that can attend the consultation. We have a more inclusive, horizontal work structure,” said the also member of the PLD Central Committee.
At one point in the campaign, Cedeño concentrated on publicizing the members of the Political Committee that support her. During her stage as a leading figure in the PLD governments, Cedeño managed to position her figure as a presidential candidate and she was always the best valued of the PLD leaders.
Dominguez Brito
Francisco Domínguez Brito has had an outstanding performance as a public official and leader of the PLD. His name as presidential candidate has been maintained since 2011.
In this third battle for the PLD’s candidacy, he has the challenge of coming back because until now he seems to be lagging behind in structure, compared to Abel Martínez, although superior to Margarita’s. But the lady surpasses him in the polls in the preference of the electorate.
Majority Political Committee remains neutral
The majority of the members of the Political Committee of the PLD, 45 in total, remain without taking sides in favor of any of the candidates for the PLD candidacy. Others, like Alejandrina Germán, is the coordinator of the internal commission that organizes the consultation. Cedeño has the support of Simón Lizardo, Cristina Lizardo, Armando García, Danilo Díaz, Maribel Acosta, Jaime David Fernández Mirabal and Melanio Paredes. Domínguez Brito is supported by Víctor Suárez, Julio César Valentín, Juan Ariel Jiménez, Yván Lorenzo, Alejandro Montás and Margarita Pimentel. Martínez has the support of Domingo Contreras, Gustavo Sánchez, Rubén Darío Cruz, Johnny Pujols, José del Castillo, Rafael Hidalgo and Rafael Calderón. The PLD consultation is scheduled for October 16 and the voting centers will be installed in the schools. The voting model will be automated and among the candidates there is a commitment to support whoever is favored.
