LIVE BLOG: The Latest on Puerto Rico’s 2020 Gubernatorial Race

By Mivette Vega

October 16, 2020

Welcome to The Americano’s live blog focused on Puerto Rico’s 2020 gubernatorial race. This blog will be updated daily with news on the candidates, their policies, and the Puerto Rican electoral process.

Miguel Romero Is the New Mayor of San Juan

Saturday, November 7, 8:45 p.m.

The PNP candidate got 2,232 votes over his opponent, Manuel Natal, candidate of Movimiento Victoria Ciudadana (MVC). Puerto Rico’s  State Elections Commission (CEE by its Spanish initials) confirmed on Saturday night, Romero got 44,313 votes equal to 36.22%.

The capital city was one of the closest races in the Puerto Rican election. At the beginning of the count, Miguel Romero was in the lead but then Natal surpassed him.

On Wednesday, Natal accused the PNP of “kidnapping” the electoral process because MVC count-monitoring volunteers were not granted access.

Romero is currently a PNP senator. He was secretary of the local Department of Labor and Human Resources from 2009 to 2013. He was also Puerto Rico chief of staff from 2012 to 2013.  

Better sanitation and the delineation of tax-free areas to revitalize some of the city’s neighborhoods are among Romero’s plans for the capital city.

Pierluisi Is Taking Governmental Transition Decisions Despite Not Having Official Results


Friday, November 6, 4 p.m.
Pedro Pierluisi is still leading Puerto Rico’s governor’s race over the Popular Democratic Party (PPD) candidate, Charlie Delgado. According to the latest numbers reported by Puerto Rico’s State Elections Commission (CEE by its Spanish initials) website, the PNP candidate has 405,648 votes, what represents a 32.90%. Delgado has 388,950 which is 31.55%.

Despite the fact that the CEE has not issued a preliminary certification of winners, Pierluisi has been conducting processes as if he is already the new governor. On Thursday, he met the current governor, Wanda Vázquez, his opponent on the primaries, to begin talking about the transition process.

Yesterday, Pierluisi also appointed the mayor of Bayamón, Ramón Luis Rivera, as president of the Incoming Transition Committee. According to the Transitional Law of the Government of Puerto Rico, this process must begin on the fourth day after the general elections have been held. Yesterday was the third day.

Miguel Romero Is Still Leading San Juan Mayoral Race


Friday, November 6, 3 p.m.
Miguel Romero, the New Progressive Party (PNP by its Spanish initials) candidate, is still leading the mayor of San Juan race. According to Puerto Rico’s State Elections Commission (CEE by its Spanish initials) website, the current senator has 43,874 votes, 1,896 more than Manuel Natal, the candidate of Movimiento Victoria Ciudadana (MVC), who has a total of 41,978. Francisco Rosado, the president of CEE, said on Friday they will issue the preliminary certification of the winners tonight or Saturday.

Puerto Rico’s State Elections Commission Addresses Charlie Delgado’s Claim of Uncounted Ballots 


Thursday, November 5, 2 p.m.
Puerto Rico’s State Elections Commission (CEE by its Spanish initials) revealed Thursday morning what was inside 320 briefcases found on Wednesday.

The CEE said the boxes were filled with supplies—such as batteries, pens, pencils, unused ballots, and empty briefcases—used during Tuesday election.

On Wednesday, Charlie Delgado, the Popular Democratic Party (PPD by its Spanish initials) candidate for governor, denounced what, according to him, appeared as briefcases containing “some 50,000 uncounted votes.”

“The briefcases were delivered by local Permanent Registration Boards during their last pick-up route at island level,” the CEE informed in a written statement.

The electoral commission website—which provides updates on the vote count—crashed on Tuesday. Some voters complained ballots were being rejected by electronic counting machines. Manuel Natal, the Movimiento Victoria Ciudadana (MVC) candidate for San Juan mayor, said the PNP had “kidnapped” the electoral process.

Until Wednesday at midnight, 95.53% of polling sites had been reported. Pedro Pierluisi, New Progressive Party (PNP by its Spanish initials) candidate for governor, was still ahead of Delgado with 390,330 votes (32.68%). The PPD candidate had 376,226 votes (31.50%) in his favor.

Miguel Romero, PNP candidate for San Juan mayor, again took the lead last night versus Natal, with 1,163 additional votes.

The Fight Over The San Juan Mayor’s Seat Is Heating Up

Wednesday, November 4, 7:30 p.m.

Manuel Natal, the candidate for Mayor of San Juan of Movimiento Victoria Ciudadana (MVC), is leading a tight race of just 429 votes with Miguel Romero, the candidate of the New Progressive Party (PNP by its Spanish initials).

On Wednesday, Natal pleaded on social media for volunteers to help him with the scrutiny process. 

Hours later, hundreds of volunteers arrived at the MVC headquarters in Río Piedras.

Volunteers later went to the Roberto Clemente Coliseum where the Administrative Board of Absentee and Early Voting (JAVAA by its Spanish initials) is tallying votes.

Voting rights organizations received reports that the electoral officials of the PNP and the PPD were not allowing those from the MVC to enter the counting area.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHLt9tTBGKn/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

MVC electoral officials are still in the coliseum. Natal shared a video in which they appear singing, “we are more and we are not afraid.”

More than 100,000 Ballots Remain to Be Counted in Puerto Rico

Wednesday, November 4, 4:30 p.m.

The Administrative Board of Absentee and Early Voting (JAVA by its Spanish initials) is resuming its vote-counting process today, after taking a break at 2 a.m.

Early Wednesday, Francisco Rosado, president of the State Elections Commission (CEE by its Spanish initials), said JAVA will begin counting at 1:00 p.m. But the process began at 3 p.m. instead.

JAVA reported that it has yet to count early ballots, absentee ballots and other ballots that were rejected by electronic counting machines at polling centers during November 3rd. According to the CEE, those ballots represent about 115,791 votes.

“The expectation is that today, as soon as the officials can start counting, the machine count will be finished,” Rosado told Metro. “The area without machines is the special table for manual counting, where the government ballots are separated, which is the one of greatest interest.”

There are several closed contests that are at stake. As of November 3rd at 2 a.m., Pedro Pierluisi, the candidate of the New Progressive Party (PNP by its Spanish initials) had an advantage over Charlie Delgado, the Popular Democratic Party (PPD by its Spanish initials), of 1.4%.

Another closed race is that of the Mayor of San Juan, in which Manuel Natal, of Movimiento Victoria Ciudadana (MVC) is surpassing PNP’s candidate, Miguel Romero, only by 429 votes.

Pedro Pierluisi Declares Victory as Governor of Puerto Rico

Wednesday, November 4, 12:26 a.m.

Pedro Pierluisi, declared his joy as the new governor of Puerto Rico, even though not all votes have been counted.

At midnight the New Progressive Party (PNP by its Spanish initials) candidate prevailed with 32% of the votes. Charlie Delgado, the Popular Democratic Party (PPD by its Spanish initials) candidate, obtained 31% of the votes reported by midnight.

“I asked the people for a strong vote for statehood and they gave it. Now no one can question this result. That is powerful,” Pierluisi said in Vivo Beach Club in Isla Verde.

PPD officials criticized Pierluisi’s celebration saying “no responsible candidate may be celebrating 1 percent advantage with 10% of votes left to count,” said Héctor Luis Acevedo.

In the last half hour Manuel Natal of Movimiento Victoria Ciudadana (MVC) has surpassed Miguel Romero of PNP, with more than 400 votes.

Puerto Rico’s  State Elections Commission Website Crashed

Tuesday, November 3, 11:11 p.m.

Puerto Rico’s  State Elections Commission (CEE by its Spanish initials) has counted 67% of the votes, giving Pedro Pierluisi a little advantage over Charlie Delgado.

Until 10:30 p.m. Pierluisi who is The New Progressive Party (PNP by its Spanish initials) candidate, had 33.2% of the votes, and Delgado, the Popular Democratic Party (PPD by its Spanish initials), candidate, 32.2 %.

Since the preliminary numbers began to be reported, the CEE had problems with its website, which crashed.

 Jessika Padilla, the agency’s alternate president, said it was the high volume of people trying to enter the website that caused the problem

Later the page began working, but eventually crashed it again.

Since the beginning of the vote counting, Pierluisi has maintained a steady lead. Jennifer González, the PNP candidate for resident commissioner, is also in the front with a 40.8% at 11:00 p.m. And Miguel Romero, the PNP candidate for San Juan Mayor, was leading the race. Manuel Natal of Movimiento Victoria Ciudadana (MVC) was following.

Former governor, Aníbal Acevedo, who was the candidate of PPD for resident commissioner accepted his defeat on Twitter.

“Thanks to each of the people who honored me with their vote and trust. Since I made the decision I knew it was a difficult contest,” Acevedo wrote.


‘It’s Time for a Change’: Puerto Rican Voters Head to the Polls Today

Tuesday, November 3, 1:00 p.m. EST

Luz Delia Cruz Rodríguez was in line to vote at Dr. José Juan Osuna, San Juan on Tuesday morning. This is her first time voting in 41 years. “I’m tired of the same. It’s about time this island prospers economically and I came here to help build a ‘Patria Nueva’,” Cruz told The Americano, referring to the slogan of Juan Dalmau, the candidate of the Puerto Rico Independence Party.

Election Day in the island officially began at 9 a.m. with no setbacks. People will be able to vote until 5 p.m. Experts anticipate this could be a historic election on the island after corruption scandals, Hurricane Maria, earthquakes and El Verano del 19. Thousands of voters have come to the polls already, despite the risk of the pandemic.

Guillermo Martínez is voting for the first time. The San Juan resident, said he never felt interested to vote in past years. “I thought it would always be the same with the usual political parties, but it is time for a change,” Martinez told The Americano.

Over 349,000 Ballots Have Already Been Counted in Puerto Rico

Monday, November 2, 6:00 p.m. EST

Puerto Rico’s  State Elections Commission (CEE by its Spanish initials) had already counted about 349,000 ballots by Monday morning, according to Jessika Padilla, the agency’s alternate president.

Padilla emphasized that this year the number of early votes greatly exceeds previous years, which usually hover around 15,000 votes.

The pandemic is responsible for thousands of voters having decided on this method.

“If they counted all the early voting-related to home voting, which are 105,000 voters, and there are 47,000 early votes by mail, we would be talking about 696,000 ballots,” the president of CEE, Francisco Rosado, told Primera Hora.

The early vote count began on October 27. Setbacks related to the organization affected the process at the beginning. However, Rosado said the situation will not delay tomorrow’s counting.

Puerto Rican Candidates for Governor Ready To Rally Despite COVID

Friday, Oct. 30, 5:15 p.m. EST

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico—Despite the high number of positive cases of COVID-19 on the island and the ensuing prohibition of public gatherings, all six candidates for governor will hold in-person campaign closings this weekend.

Spokespeople for all political parties in Puerto Rico have made assurances safety measures will be observed.

The New Progressive Party (PNP by its Spanish initials) invited its supporters to Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in Bayamón on Sunday. Starting at 4 p.m., the drive-in event will feature live music and political messages.

Charlie Delgado, the Popular Democratic Party (PPD by its Spanish initials) candidate, will hold a caravan rally on Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. on road PR-1, where “El Peñón de la Pava,” a cliffside rock painted with the party’s logo, is located. The rally will continue to the Coliseo Rubén Zayas Montañez in the municipality of Trujillo Alto for a closing event commencing at 5 p.m.  

The Puerto Rico Independence Party (PIP) will hold its caravan rally on Sunday, starting at 10 a.m. in San Juan’s Parque Central park.

Also on Sunday, Movimiento Victoria Ciudadana (MVC) will also host a closing drive-in event, which will begin at 3 p.m. in the parking lot of the Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan. 

Proyecto Dignidad’s caravan rally will take place on Saturday, starting at 1 p.m. in the municipality of Santa Isabel. The route will go through several municipalities including Ponce, Humacao, Manatí, and Caguas.

Eliezer Molina, independent candidate for governor, will rally on Sunday starting at 3 p.m. on the corner of Calle de La Fortaleza, near the governor’s mansion, where the protests of Verano del 19 took place.

Lorenzo González, secretary of Puerto Rico’s Health Department, advised for both politicians and the population to avoid contagion risks.

As of Friday, the health department reported 33,853 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 31,890 possible cases.

The Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Debate Was Brutal and
Personal

Thursday, Oct. 29, 3:05 p.m. EST

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO—Current resident commissioner Jenniffer González, affiliated with the New Progressive Party (PNP by its Spanish initials), and Popular Democratic Party (PPD by its Spanish initials) candidate for the opposition, Aníbal Acevedo Vilá, became embroiled in discussion during their debate for the Washington, D.C., chair.

González called Acevedo Vilá “corrupt.” The PPD candidate, who is also former governor of Puerto Rico, called her “a liar.” Their back and forth lasted about 15 minutes while the rest of the candidates, Zayira Jordán Conde from Movimiento Victoria Ciudadana (MVC), Luis Roberto Piñero from the Puerto Rico Independence Party (PIP by its Spanish initials), and Ada Norah Henriquez from Proyecto Dignidad looked on. 

The discussion began when Acevedo was asked how he would manage to have released the federal funds approved after Hurricane María—if he felt “morally capable” of calling for “cleanliness and transparency” in Washington after being federally accused of corruption. (The former governor was acquitted of all charges.)

“Jenniffer has misled you with a campaign of lies,” Acevedo said. “Never in my life have I stolen a penny of public money, private money, anything. Never.”

González said Acevedo was an embarrassment for the island.

“If there is someone who lies, and has experience lying to the people of Puerto Rico, it’s that candidate,” González said. “Imagine—his family laundered money for his own campaign.”

Acevedo Vilá denied the accusations and warned he would make public several text messages between him and González, where she admitted to be more in touch with the PPD candidate than with former Governor Ricardo Rosselló. Acevedo Vilá posted screenshots on Twitter shortly after the debate.

Jordán and Piñero, on their part, stated their own accusations on González and Acevedo Vilá. Henríquez stayed focused on her campaign proposal.

“You are two sides of the same coin,” Piñero said at one point during the debate. “They are what Puerto Rico does not need.”


U.S. Attorney Appoints Election Officer To Oversee Complaints of Election Fraud in Puerto Rico

Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2 p.m. EST

W. Stephen Muldrow, United States attorney for the Puerto Rico federal district court, appointed an official to be in charge of overseeing the handling of election fraud complaints and voting rights concerns during the island’s upcoming elections.

Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Seth Erbe will serve as district election officer (DEO) of Puerto Rico, in connection with the U.S. Department of Justice Nationwide Election Day Program.

In a written statement, Muldrow said that “every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud. The Department of Justice will always act appropriately to protect the integrity of the election process.” 

The statement explains how federal law protects against such crimes as voter bribing or intimidation, buying and selling of votes, voter impersonation, alteration of vote tallies, stuffing of ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.

On Election Day, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses. The Puerto Rico FBI field office can be reached at 787-754-6000 or 787-987-6500.

Counting Early Ballots is Off to a Rough Start in Puerto Rico

Tuesday, Oct. 27, 3:15 p.m. EST

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO—The  State Elections Commission (CEE by its Spanish initials) began counting thousands of early and absentee votes in the Administrative Board of Absentee and Early Voting (JAVA by its Spanish initials) and had to stop the process shortly after commencing because of a lack of organization.

Héctor Sánchez, New Progressive Party (PNP by its Spanish initials) electoral commissioner, told El Vocero that minority parties including the Popular Democratic Party (PPD by its Spanish initials), did not have the number of electoral officials required for a balanced counting to take place.

“That’s why weeks ago we urged [minority parties] to consider strategies and designate the staff that is required—currently we have an unfilled position,” Sánchez said. “We [at the PNP] have our staff, and I am concerned that others want to continue delaying the process [of counting the votes] because there is no balance.”

Later on Monday, Francisco Rosado Colomer, president of the CEE, confirmed the vote count will resume today.

“Unlike previous times, the volume of votes JAVA will be processing during this count is significantly higher than usual,” Rosado said in a written statement.  “It was necessary to reevaluate logistics and give more precise instructions to the officials.”

Candidates for San Juan Mayor Accuse Each Other While Defending Their Proposals

Monday, Oct. 26, 1:30p.m. EST

The five candidates for Mayor of San Juan participated in their sole electoral debate Sunday, October 25th.

Candidates Miguel Romero of the New Progressive Party (PNP, by its Spanish initials), Rossana López of the Popular Democratic Party (PPD by its Spanish initials), Adrián González of the Puerto Rico Independence Party (PIP, by its Spanish initials), Manuel Natal Albelo of Movimiento Victoria Ciudadana (MVC), and Nelson Rosario of Proyecto Dignidad (PD) answered questions on topics including San Juan’s infrastructure and their plans for the city’s economic development.

The debate had its tense moments, mainly because of remarks from candidates toward Romero. For instance, López demanded an apology from him for the dismissal of 30,000 public employees under Governor Luis Fortuño’s Law 7 of 2009. The law declared a state of financial emergency and allowed the governor to restructure public employment in ways that would be illegal in normal circumstances. 

PIP candidate González said Romero will execute the recommendations of the contentious Fiscal Control Oversight Board, a federal government initiative that manages the island’s public finances. 

On his part, MVC candidate Natal also condemned Romero, saying he was one of the politicians who voted in favor of restructuring the debt of the Puerto Rico Government Development Bank, at a cost of $140 million to the capital city. 

“There are people who because of their political party aspirations are willing to take out both eyes from the people of San Juan, while taking out another from the municipal administration,” Natal said.

Romero categorized the criticisms as “fantasy” and told PPD candidate López a few times how she remained silent in the face of the “disaster” caused by her party affiliate and incumbent San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz.

Later that Sunday night, Bad Bunny tweeted his endorsement of Natal, posting “San Juan goes with Manuel Natal.” This is the reggaeton singer’s first endorsement of a candidate in the upcoming elections.

MVC’s Natal said during the first 100 days of his administration he will address issues concerning roads, parks, green areas, and disused or abandoned communities.

Puerto Rico Candidates for Governor Will Debate Tonight, on the Home Stretch to the Election

Thursday, Oct. 22, 5:45p.m. EST

This evening, Puerto Rico will also be holding its last political debate before the election with candidates for the governor’s seat sparring over questions from journalists. 

The event, Debate decisivo, will be broadcast from 6 to 8 p.m. by Telemundo and live-streamed via telemundopr.com and the TelemundoPR app. 

For about two hours, the six candidates for governor will tackle topics including economic development, the coronavirus, corruption, and the island’s political status. 

The participating candidates are Pedro Pierluisi of the New Progressive Party (PNP, by its Spanish initials), Charlie Delgado of the Popular Democratic Party (PPD), Juan Dalmau of the Puerto Rico Independence Party (PIP, by its Spanish initials), Alexandra Lúgaro of Movimiento Victoria Ciudadana (MVC), Dr. César Vázquez of Proyecto Dignidad (PD), and independent candidate Eliezer Molina of Movimiento de Conciencia (MC). 

Journalists Luis Guardiola from Telemundo, Rubén Sánchez from WKAQ-AM, and Joanisabel González from El Nuevo Día will be asking the questions.

Each candidate will have a 30-second opening message and one minute to answer each question.

Several unions and social groups have been protesting since about 4 p.m. in front of Telemundo’s headquarters in Hato Rey. The protestors are raising awareness on issues mostly concerning education.

Court Orders Rivera Schatz To Publish Senate Employee Salaries

Wednesday, Oct. 21, 4:45p.m. EST

The Puerto Rico Court of First Instance ordered Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz to make public a list of legislative employees’ salaries. Eva Prados, Chamber of Representatives candidate from the Movimiento de Victoria Ciudadana (MVC) party, served a mandamus order to the court after a failed attempt by the Senate to update the information on its site in August.

The information on the list reveals there are subordinates who may earn more than legislators.

For example, Senate Secretary Manuel Torres Nieves earns $10,500 per month, more than Rivera Schatz’s monthly salary of $9,221.92.

Senate Vice President Henry Neumann, spokesperson Carmelo Ríos, and alternate New Progressive Party (PNP by its Spanish initials) majority spokesperson Ángel “Chayanne” Martínez earn $7,070.08 per month, as do minority spokespersons Eduardo Bhatia and José Luis Dalmau—both from the Popular Democratic Party (PPD by its Spanish initials)—and Juan Dalmau from the Puerto Rico Independence Party (PIP by its Spanish initials). All other senators earn a monthly salary of $6,147.92.

The list also revealed there are nearly 20 advisers and employees who earn more than legislators. For instance, per month, Alicia Álvarez Esnard, director of legislative advisers, earns $9,000; Manuel Vélez Lacomba, sergeant-at-arms, $8,000; María Dolores (Lolín) Santiago, former electoral commissioner, $8,500; and Carmen Feliciano, director of the Senate Office of Federal Affairs, $13,730.

PPD Denounces Possible Fraud Scheme in Luquillo

Tuesday, Oct. 20, 5:10 p.m. EST

Members of the Popular Democratic Party (PPD by its Spanish initials) reported a possible fraudulent voting scheme after a deceased person appeared as an applicant requesting an early-vote mail-in ballot in the Luquillo municipality.

PPD Sen. Aníbal José Torres and Luquillo Mayor Gerardo “Gerry” Márquez asked the PNP mayoral candidate, Luis Rodríguez, and his electoral commissioner, Jan Febo Cabrera, for explanations after the findings.

Torres and Márquez showed documents at a news conference as evidence of their claim, which could prove a possible fraud scheme that could be happening in the State Elections Commission (CEE by its Spanish initials). 

The officials requested for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to look into the matter.

Apparently, the deceased person is Febo Cabrera’s aunt, Evelyn Cabrera Becerril, who died last year in the state of Oklahoma.

According to records, Febo Cabrera’s sister, Lyanne Febo Cabrera, also appears as if she requested to vote early by mail despite being a Texas resident. On her Facebook account, she posted about exercising her right to vote in the [continental] US, which would preclude her vote on the island.

The PPD representatives presented evidence that someone requested an early vote using Cabrera Becerril’s name at the Permanent Registration Board of Luquillo in September.

The deceased woman resided in the Paisajes del Lago neighborhood in Luquillo, where her nephew, Febo Cabrera, currently lives.

In the electoral register, the commissioner appears as residing in another neighborhood, the same one appearing in his sister’s early-vote request. 

“This is an act of corruption, and this public servant has a ministerial duty to defend democracy in the municipality,” Márquez said. “What happened in Luquillo could be happening in any part of the island.” 

PIP and PPD Candidates for Governor Share Additional Details of Their Proposals

Monday, Oct. 19, 1:00 p.m. EST

Juan Dalmau, Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP by its Spanish initials) gubernatorial candidate, told El Nuevo Día he will decree a moratorium on the construction of shopping centers outside urban centers, if he wins the elections.

The candidate also promised to eliminate some of the government’s economic development agencies, as well as the Discover Puerto Rico destination marketing organization (DMO), which replaced the Puerto Rico Tourism Company in promoting the island as a travel spot.

Dalmau’s purpose is to create agencies that fulfill the mission of promoting business activity on the island, and for companies to contribute 10% of revenue across the board to taxes. 

On Sunday, Charlie Delgado, the Popular Democratic Party (PPD by its Spanish initials) candidate, clarified his government program by emphasizing his intention of eradicating corruption.

“The great enemy of the Puerto Rican people is government corruption, and the impunity that corruption has been experiencing,” Delgado said in a virtual assembly.

The PPD candidate explained that the four pillars of his plan are facilitating a participatory, transparent government; decentralizing public services; providing technology for all; and detecting and preventing corruption.

General Election Ballots Are Ready

Friday, Oct. 16, 2:10 p.m. EST

The ballots for the upcoming Puerto Rico general election have been printed.

José Santana, manager of Printech, the company that printed the ballots, confirmed that the printing of 11.8 million ballots was ready before the promised deadline of Oct. 24.

“Being able to finish the work order 11 days ahead of schedule reiterates the Commission’s commitment to the electorate and the Puerto Rican people,” Francisco Rosado Colomer, CEE president, said in a written statement.

A shortage of ballots affected the primaries in August, leading to thousands of voters having to go to polling sites on two dates.

That situation raised doubts as to whether the general election would actually take place on Nov. 3, and led to the resignation of former CEE president Juan E. Dávila. Rosado replaced him.

Three of Puerto Rico’s Candidates for Governor Support Biden

Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, 12:05p.m. EST

Pedro Pierluisi, the New Progressive Party (PNP by its Spanish initials) candidate for governor, tweeted he considers Biden to have the right vision for the island. He has said the former vice president will treat Puerto Rico equitably.

Charlie Delgado, the Popular Democratic Party (PPD by its Spanish initials) candidate, said Biden’s proposals align with the local government’s platform. “The vice president’s proposals are very aligned with our government platform on federal affairs,” Delgado told El Nuevo Día. “Vice President Biden shows a commitment to Puerto Ricans, knows us, respects our culture, and is committed to helping Puerto Rico.”

César Vázquez, the Proyecto Dignidad (PD) candidate for governor, also highlighted the ideas Biden is proposing for Puerto Ricans. “He is talking about treating Puerto Ricans with dignity and respect. It seems he copied our words,” Vázquez told El Nuevo Día. “He talks about investing in the future, development initiatives, and family support. We had already talked about that and about many other things that he is mentioning.” 

RELATED: Several PR Governor Candidates Avoid Taking Up Gender Equity as Violence Continues

These Are The New Political Parties Challenging The Establishment

Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, 11:40 a.m. EST

The 2020 elections could mark a new era in the history of Puerto Rican politics. The demographic, economic, and social changes on the island in recent years could have a significant impact on the outcome. In this election, voters can choose between candidates from three new parties, or candidates from the parties that have dominated the island’s politics for decades.  

The established parties come with ideologies regarding the political status of the island. The New Progressive Party (PNP, by its Spanish initials), with Pedro Pierluisi as its candidate for governor, is pro-statehood; Charlie Delgado is the gubernatorial candidate for the Popular Democratic Party (PPD), which is pro-commonwealth; and the Puerto Rico Independence Party (PIP, by its Spanish initials) is pro-independence, with Juan Dalmau as their candidate for governor.

These novel parties are Movimiento Victoria Ciudadana (MVC), Proyecto Dignidad (PD), and Movimiento de Conciencia (MC). Respectively, their candidates for the governor’s seat are Alexandra Lúgaro, Dr. César Vázquez, and Eliezer Molina (who is an independent candidate helming a movement he defines as a political party).

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