Next year's election for city councilman is a clear example of how important the competition is to both men. Espaillat is supporting an ex-teacher, Miguel Martinez, while Linares would like Morisete to take his place. It wouldn't be the first time that the two pitted their proteges against each other. Linares supported Murtaugh back in 1996, and two years later, backed Isabel Evangelista against Espaillat in the state assembly primaries. In that same year, the councilman ousted Martinez as district leader in a race that surprised many by its intensity, considering that the position is fairly low on the political ladder.
Community residents seem to be growing tired of what they say is needless battle of wills.
Some say the division, which has gotten a lot of press in the past, has hurt the Dominican community on a larger level. The splintering is not beneficial to Dominicans, said Amezquita. Infighting leads to exclusion, he said, with people inevitably being left out. The community could accomplish more if it had one agenda, he added. Ydanis Rodriguez, who will run for Linares' seat next year and is not affiliated with either faction, said that he would rather see elected officials get more involved in issues like poverty, rather than their rivalry.