District judge candidate says time is right for Latino
Robert Carvajal believes the timing is right, that the Latinos who make up a large part of Reading are ready for a Latino district judge.
They're also ready for a district judge who enforces the spirit of the law, not creating financial hardships by enforcing the letter of the law, said Carvajal, a former New York City police officer and now a local behavioral consultant.
That's why the 43-year-old Democrat is running in the May 17 primary for a six-year term as district judge in District 23-3-09, against incumbent Deborah P. Lachina and rival Thomas H. Xavios.
"The Latino community is ready to see a change," he said, adding that there are no Latino district judges in Reading, which is mostly Latino.
Carvajal said he's not just looking for the Latino vote, and will serve everybody the same way.
But he believes his Latino heritage will help, especially in his neighborhood visits.
Of 100 families he talked to, he said, 19 of them told him a Latino can't be a district judge, 26 were surprised to see a Latino running for the job, but the majority were excited to see a Latino candidate.
"I'm ready, willing and able to do the job," he said. "I love working with the community, I understand the law and am willing to learn more, and I understand how the law is made to better the community, not to create financial hardship.
"I believe the spirit of the law is what counts; the letter of the law is what she (Lachina) has been enforcing. That adds to the financial burden of the city (residents). This city doesn't have a lot of people with a lot of money."
Carvajal came to Reading 13 years ago from New York City, in part to be a teacher helping kids before they got involved with the law enforcement system.
"It's a great community; everybody has something to offer," he said.
Now, he also wants to instill an attitude in students, especially Latino or other minorities, that they can succeed.
"When the criminal justice system is viewed by the kids they view it as not reachable," he said. "They don't see themselves as becoming a police officer or a judge."
He said he wants minority students to say: "We can do this."
"I'm ready, willing and able to do that," he added. "When you see you can make a change, that's all it's about."