Honestly, if you were watching the Puerto Rico election 2024 from the mainland, you might have missed the earthquake. I’m not talking about the tectonic kind. I’m talking about the total shattering of a two-party system that’s held the island in a vice grip for over half a century.
Jenniffer González-Colón won. That’s the headline. But it’s kinda like saying it rained in the rainforest; it doesn't tell you anything about the flash flood that almost swept the establishment away.
The Night the "Bipartidismo" Cracked
For decades, Puerto Rican politics was a simple, if frustrating, seesaw. You had the New Progressive Party (PNP), who want statehood, and the Popular Democratic Party (PPD), who want to keep the "commonwealth" status quo. That was it. That was the whole game.
Then came November 5, 2024.
Jenniffer González-Colón, the island's former Resident Commissioner and a heavy-hitter in the Republican Party, pulled in about 41.2% of the vote. In any other year, her main rival would’ve been the PPD candidate. But Jesús Manuel Ortiz of the PPD tumbled to third place with just 21%.
Who took second? Juan Dalmau.
He leads the PIP (Puerto Rican Independence Party) and headed up a coalition called La Alianza (The Alliance). He grabbed over 30% of the vote. For a pro-independence candidate in Puerto Rico, that isn't just a "good showing." It's historic. It’s the kind of number that makes political consultants in San Juan lose sleep.
Why Jenniffer González-Colón’s Win is Weirdly Complicated
You’ve got to understand the drama leading up to this. González-Colón didn't just walk into the Governor’s Mansion. She had to take out the sitting governor, Pedro Pierluisi, in a brutal primary back in June. She basically told the voters that the current administration—her own party—wasn't moving fast enough on the power grid or the corruption issues.
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People listened.
She’s now the second woman ever elected to the post. She’s got a mandate, but it's a messy one. While she won the governorship, the Resident Commissioner seat—the one she vacated to run for governor—went to the opposition.
Pablo José Hernández Rivera of the PPD won that race.
So, you have a pro-statehood Republican governor and a pro-status-quo Democrat representing the island in D.C. It’s a "split ticket" on steroids. It basically ensures that when it comes to the island's status, Washington is going to keep getting mixed signals.
The Status Question: Does 57% Actually Mean Anything?
Along with the candidates, voters faced a plebiscite. This wasn't the first one, and it won't be the last. The options were:
- Statehood
- Independence
- Sovereignty in Free Association
Notice something missing? The current "Territory" status wasn't on the ballot.
Statehood won with roughly 57% of the vote. In a vacuum, that looks like a clear win. But the "Alianza" and the PPD called for boycotts or blank ballots because they felt the process was rigged to favor the PNP’s statehood agenda.
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If you count the blank ballots, that 57% starts to look a lot smaller. This is the nuance that usually gets lost in the mainland news cycle. Pro-statehood advocates say it’s a clear mandate. Opponents say it’s a manufactured result.
The LUMA Factor: Why Everyone is Angry
If you want to know why the Puerto Rico election 2024 felt so volatile, look at a light bulb. Or rather, look at one that won't turn on.
The privatization of the island's energy grid through LUMA Energy has been a disaster for many. High rates, constant blackouts, and equipment that looks like it belongs in a museum. Dalmau and the Alianza campaigned heavily on canceling the LUMA contract.
González-Colón was more cautious but eventually had to lean into the "fix it or get out" rhetoric to keep her base. The fact that a candidate running on a platform of "Independence" came in second is largely due to the sheer exhaustion people feel with the status quo infrastructure.
Real Data: The Numbers You Need to Know
- Gubernatorial Winner: Jenniffer González-Colón (NPP) - 41.2%
- The Surprise Second: Juan Dalmau (PIP/Alianza) - 30.7%
- The PPD Collapse: Jesús Manuel Ortiz - 21.4%
- Resident Commissioner: Pablo José Hernández (PPD) - 44.5%
- Statehood Vote: 58.6% (of valid ballots)
It's a strange time.
The NPP (statehood party) regained control of the House and Senate in Puerto Rico, which gives González-Colón a lot of legislative runway. But they're dealing with a population that is increasingly willing to look outside the two main parties.
What Actually Happens Next?
The 2024 election proved that the "third way" is no longer a myth in Puerto Rican politics. The Alianza isn't going away.
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For the new Governor, the clock is ticking. She has to show that her Republican connections in the mainland (now that Trump is back in the White House) can actually translate into faster disaster recovery funds and a stabilized power grid.
If she fails to fix the daily "quality of life" issues—the power, the roads, the schools—the 30% that Dalmau captured in 2024 could easily become 40% or 50% by 2028.
Actionable Insights for Following the Aftermath:
- Watch the LUMA contract: This is the first big test for González-Colón. If she doesn't make a move on the energy provider, her approval will tank by the end of year one.
- Monitor the D.C. friction: Keep an eye on the relationship between Governor González-Colón and Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández. They are on opposite sides of the status and party aisle.
- Track the 2026 midterms: Puerto Rico's legislative activity usually ramps up in the second year of the term. Watch for "status bills" being sent to a divided U.S. Congress.
- The "Alianza" evolution: See if the PIP and MVC (Victoria Ciudadana) stay together or if the coalition fractures now that the election is over.
The old era of Puerto Rican politics died on November 5. What’s being born right now is a lot more chaotic, but honestly, it’s probably a more accurate reflection of how people on the island actually feel.
Key Takeaway
The Puerto Rico election 2024 wasn't just another win for the statehood party. It was a warning shot from a third-party coalition that came closer to power than anyone thought possible. The "two-party" system is effectively over; we just haven't finished the funeral yet.
To stay updated on the transition, follow the official reports from the Comisión Estatal de Elecciones (CEE) as they finalize the scrutiny of municipal races, which may still shift the balance of local power.