Raúl Acosta, widely known as “El Presidente del Merengue,” is a Dominican-American artist, entrepreneur, community advocate, and political leader seeking to bring a new voice to the Dominican Republic.

Born in Santo Domingo and raised in the United States, Acosta built an international career as the founder and leader of Oro Sólido, one of the most recognizable merengue groups of its generation. For more than three decades, his music has connected Dominican communities at home and throughout the diaspora.

Today, Acosta is bringing that same connection to public service.

After pursuing a candidacy for Diputado de Ultramar in 2024, Acosta launched Diáspora Primero (PDP), a political movement created to give greater representation and influence to the millions of Dominicans living abroad while building a stronger relationship between the diaspora and the Dominican Republic.

Now pursuing a Congressional seat to represent the largest Dominican population in the United States, Acosta is campaigning on a vision centered on economic opportunity, stronger communities, responsible leadership, Dominican identity, and a government that recognizes the enormous contribution of Dominicans living both on the island and overseas.

His message is simple: the Dominican diaspora should not merely send money home—it deserves a meaningful voice in the country's future.

From Santo Domingo to New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, Florida, and Dominican communities around the world, Raúl Acosta is working to build a movement that brings together Dominicans who believe the country's next chapter can be one of greater opportunity, representation, and national pride.