BY ELIZABETH LLORENTE
THE RECORD
   
Leading up to Tuesday's elections, Kathy Polanco made about a dozen calls daily to fellow Dominicans in Paterson, urging them to get out and back three compatriots running for City Council.

One of the candidates, political newcomer Julio Tavarez, won big – beating a two-term incumbent by a 2-1 ratio.

But Polanco, of Garfield, and other North Jersey Dominicans who worked feverishly for Tavarez have not had time to celebrate. They've been working around the clock on the main bout: today's election for president of the Dominican Republic.

"This is where I live, so I have a vested interest in getting involved in community events here — especially political activities with Dominicans who are running and who know our community's issues," Polanco said. "I have no plans to return to the Dominican Republic to live, but I still care about it; you leave your loved ones there. The way I can help from here is to build up support for the best candidate to lead the Dominican Republic. Every day I call mi gente [my people] to urge them to vote."

READ MORE: http://www.northjersey.com/news/passaicpolitics/19000084.html

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