Hispanic voters will represent a powerful bloc in next year’s election. So it makes sense that Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry is meeting with 100 Hispanic business leaders during his visit to New York, as
WCBS reports.
The list includes Fernando Mateo, head of the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers, a livery-driver trade group. Mateo has been heavily involved in the state’s GOP politics for years and backed former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a friend of Texas Gov. Perry.
“It’s a first for us, at least during my lifetime,” Mateo said. “I’ve never seen a presidential candidate coming into our community — not as a candidate, never mind as president.”
Perry has scheduled several events in New York today and Tuesday, including three upscale fundraisers.
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