On a historic election day for Puerto Rico, Jennifer Gonzalezof the New Progress Party (PNP), this Tuesday was confirmed in the election election for governor, according to the preliminary results of the Puerto Rico Election Commission (CEEPR). González, who is currently working as a committee resident in the US House of Representatives, received 39.45% of the vote, surpassing the independent candidate Juan Dalmauof the Puertorriqueño Independent Party (PIP), which reached 32.7%.
This result marks a precedent for the Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño, which for the first time in its history positioned itself as the second political force in the general elections. In the 2020 comics, Dalmau obtained the cuarto lugar with 13.58% of the votes, which reflects a notable progress in the apoyo of his candidacy.
Jenniffer González, a historic triumph
With this victory, González became the third woman in the canzar of the government of Puerto Rico. The first was Sila Maria Calderónwho occupied the position between 2001 and 2005 and won the elections of the year 2000 with the Popular Democratic Party (PPD). The second was Wanda Vazquezwho assumed the government in 2019 through the resignation of Ricardo Rosselló, even if he was not elected by the voters. Vázquez came to Cargo as part of the line of succession in her role as secretary of the Department of Justice.
González's triumph also confirms the position the PNP took to convert Puerto Rico into the number 51 state in the United States, a posture that continues to polarize the island's voters.
The rise of the Puertorrican Independent Party
Juan Dalmau's second place is an unprecedented log for the PIP, which traditionally occupied marginal positions in general elections. This advance is attributed to the strategic alliance with him Victoria Citizen Movement (MVC), an emerging party that has gained traction among young, progressive voters.
Dalmau's outcome represents a shift in Puerto Rico's political landscape, historically dominated by the PNP and PPD. His example suggests an interested candidate among voters for alternatives to traditional two-party politics, especially those that promote island independence.
Symbolic votes and non-binding plebiscite
In addition to the gubernatorial elections, Puerto Rico residents participated in other symbolic votes that reflect political and social tensions on the island.
Although Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States and its citizens cannot vote for the president in federal elections, voters participate in an unofficial poll spurred by the salient governor, Pedro Pierluisiof the PNP. In this simulated vote, the Democratic candidate Kamala Harris obtained 73.46% of the votes while the former Republican president Donald Trump it reached 26.54%.
On the other hand, he also went to Cabo Un non-binding plebiscite to consult voters on the future political state of the island. The options were: Stadidad, Independencia or Soberanía en Libre Asociación con United States. Preliminary results follow:
- La Estadidad obtuvo la mayoría con el 56.8% of the votes (528,379 votes).
- Independence came secondly with el 30.85% (286,923 votes).
- La Soberanía en Libre Asociación obtuvo el 12.33% (114,676 votes).
These findings reflect a significant response to the state, even though they have no legal validity nor the apoyo of the United States Congress.
Political context and future challenges
The debate over the political state of Puerto Rico continues to be a divisive issue on the island. In previous plebiscites, such as that of 2020, the state also obtained the mayor with 52.52% of the votes, but these consultations have been destimated both by the Department of Justice of the United States and by the Congress, which has the final say in any change of state.
In 2020, the vicesecretario de Justicia de EE.UU., Jeffrey A. Rosenhe sought to validate the plebiscite, arguing that it was not clear whether the voters would rechazaban the current status of the Free Member States. Este rechazo subraya the limitations of these non-binding consultations and the lack of consensus on the political future of Puerto Rico.
Looking forward
With Jenniffer González, the new governor, Puerto Rico faces a complex political landscape. Your administration will face economic, social and political challenges as it seeks to advance the PNP's agenda to achieve statehood. On the other hand, the rise of the PIP and its alliance with the MVC has given rise to a stronger and more structured opposition, which could change the political dynamic of the island.
Meanwhile, the results of the plebiscite cause lingering division among Puerto Ricans over the island's future state. Although the state continues to be the most popular option, the lack of federal aid and the withdrawal of significant sectors from the difficult population contribute to the concretion of this goal.
González's triumph marks an important moment in Puerto Rico's political history, but there are also new questions about the rumbo that will hit the island in the coming years. In a context of political transformation and economic challenges, his leadership will be key to defining the future of Puerto Rico and its relationship with the United States.
