1st Columbian Candidate in US, Jorge Porras, eyes RI State House

by Ann Clanton, Contributing Writer, “Speak-Up”

The Latin communities face particularly challenging issues: racial profiling by law enforcement, gentrification and housing affordability, unsafe workplaces, segregated public schools, and immigration raids.  Many of the leaders in Rhode Island’s Hispanic community are of the mindset that these issues will only be addressed equitably when their voices are at the table.

Over the last two decades Rhode Island’s Hispanic community has increased its representation in elected positions, including serving as mayors, city council members, and General Assembly members.

Hoping to join them at the RI State House is North Providence resident and would be state representative Jorge Porras. Mr. Porras, if elected, will make history. “I am the first person from Columbia, South America to run for office in the United States” says Mr. Porras.

Running as an Independent for District 6, he is admittedly a conservative in his views on lowering taxes, and immigration. As a state legislator, he would focus on those issues, and also intends to address youth from the brown and immigrant communities who are not completing high school or continuing on to college.

According to Rhode Island Kids Count, Hispanic children, at 13%, have the highest dropout and lowest high school graduation rate in Rhode Island.

“Our youth are at stake this coming November. Now, more than ever, we need representation fighting for immigrant communities, working families, women, and everyday people,” says Porras.

As we close out a month of commemoration of the U.S. Latinx and Hispanic Communities’ influence on American society at large, Latin-American candidates like Jorge Porras seek to decrease the systemic inequities in education, economics and employment.

For more information you can write to Porras ast: [email protected]

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Ann-Allison Clanton was born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island. As principle of Ann Clanton Communications, Ann has more than two decades of experience as a communications and public affairs consultant. She has written features and profiles articles for the Providence American Newspaper and Ethnic Online Magazine.

Among the notable persons interviewed include former U. S. Ambassador Andrew Young, Dr. Cornell West, former Florida Congressman Allen West (R-FL) and Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus first African American Ringmaster, Johnathan Lee Iverson.

Ann is the founder of the Rhode Island Black Film Festival and a founding member of the Southern New England Association of Black Journalists.