The dust has finally settled. After months of heated rallies, some truly wild social media campaigning, and a nail-biter of a count that had everyone refreshing their screens, the official Puerto Rico election results are in. And honestly? They’re historic for reasons that go way beyond just who’s moving into La Fortaleza.
We’ve seen a massive shift in how the island votes. For decades, it was a two-party game. You were either a red (PPD) or a blue (PNP). That’s basically it. But this time around? The "Alianza" (the alliance between the PIP and MVC) blew those old expectations out of the water. Even though Jenniffer González-Colón walked away with the win, the map looks completely different than it did four years ago.
Jenniffer González and the NPP’s Narrow Path to Victory
So, let’s talk about the big win. Jenniffer González-Colón, the current Resident Commissioner, is now the Governor-elect. She pulled in about 39.45% of the vote.
Now, if you’re looking at that number and thinking, "Wait, that’s not even half," you’re right. In a five-way race, you don't need a majority to win, just a plurality. She beat out her closest rival, Juan Dalmau, who made history by snagging second place with roughly 32.78%. This is the first time since the mid-20th century that the Popular Democratic Party (PPD) didn't finish in the top two. That is a huge deal.
González-Colón ran a campaign focused on experience. Being in D.C. for years gave her a certain "I know how the gears turn" energy that resonated with voters tired of feeling ignored by the federal government. But she’s stepping into a house that’s pretty divided. While her party, the New Progressive Party (NPP), secured a strong presence in the legislature, the sheer volume of people who voted for change suggests her honeymoon period might be short.
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The "Alianza" Earthquake: Why Second Place Felt Like a Win
Juan Dalmau didn't win the governorship, but if you talk to his supporters, they’ll tell you they won the "moral" victory. For the first time, an independence-leaning candidate wasn't just a protest vote—he was a serious contender.
The alliance between the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) and Movimiento Victoria Ciudadana (MVC) basically consolidated the "anti-establishment" vote. They tapped into a deep-seated frustration with LUMA Energy (the island’s much-hated private power grid operator), corruption scandals, and the feeling that the old parties were just two sides of the same coin.
- The Power Issue: Almost every debate came back to the lights going out.
- The Youth Vote: Social media was flooded with younger voters who haven't known anything but the debt crisis and Hurricane Maria recovery.
- The Break from Tradition: Families that had voted PPD for generations actually crossed the line to vote for Dalmau.
It’s kinda crazy when you think about it. The PPD candidate, Jesús Manuel Ortiz, finished third with about 21%. For a party that basically built modern Puerto Rico, that’s a wake-up call. It’s a "change or die" moment for the Commonwealth supporters.
The Resident Commissioner Split
Here’s where it gets even more interesting. Puerto Rico doesn't do "tickets" like the U.S. mainland. You vote for Governor and Resident Commissioner separately. Because of that, we ended up with a split result.
Pablo José Hernández Rivera of the PPD won the Resident Commissioner seat with 44.55% of the vote. He’s 33, a lawyer, and the grandson of a former governor. He beat the NPP candidate, William Villafañe.
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So, come January, you’ve got a Governor from the NPP (who is a Republican nationally) and a Resident Commissioner from the PPD (who is a Democrat nationally) representing the island in D.C. It’s going to be a fascinating—or frustrating—dynamic to watch as they try to lobby Congress for funding and status changes.
That Status Plebiscite: Statehood Wins (Again)
You can't talk about Puerto Rico election results without mentioning the status vote. This was the fourth time this century that voters were asked what they wanted to be when they "grow up" politically.
The options this time were a bit different. For the first time, the "Territory" (the current status) wasn't on the ballot. It was Statehood vs. Independence vs. Sovereignty in Free Association.
- Statehood: 56.82%
- Sovereignty in Free Association: 30.85%
- Independence: 12.17% (initially misreported, but later clarified)
Statehood won. Again. But the drama isn't over. Since this wasn't a federally binding vote—meaning Congress didn't promise to act on it beforehand—it’s mostly a "message" to Washington. Pro-statehood leaders will use this as a mandate, while opponents will point to the high number of blank or spoiled ballots (pushed by the PPD as a protest) to say the result isn't "real."
What This Means for Your Wallet and Your Daily Life
If you’re living on the island or thinking about moving there, these results aren't just numbers; they’re policy.
LUMA Energy is the first big test. González-Colón has been critical of the utility company lately, but whether she actually cancels the contract or just "supervises" it more strictly is the million-dollar question. If the outages continue, that 39% support she had on election night will evaporate fast.
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Then there’s the Financial Oversight and Management Board (the Junta). They still hold the purse strings. No matter who is in La Fortaleza, the Junta has the final say on the budget. The new administration will have to navigate a tricky relationship with these federally appointed overseers while trying to fulfill campaign promises about tax cuts or infrastructure improvements.
Honestly, the biggest takeaway from the 2024 results is that Puerto Rico is no longer a "safe" bet for the traditional parties. The rise of the third-party movement means politicians actually have to compete for votes now. They can't just rely on the color of their shirt to get them into office.
Actionable Insights for Following the Transition
Since the election is over, the work is just beginning. Here is what you should keep an eye on over the next few months to see if the rhetoric matches the reality:
- Watch the Transition Committees: These groups are already meeting. Pay attention to who González-Colón appoints to lead the Department of Health and the Department of Education. These are the biggest agencies with the most influence on daily life.
- Monitor the Split in D.C.: See if Pablo José Hernández and Jenniffer González can actually coordinate on the "Puerto Rico Status Act." If they can’t even agree on a meeting time, don't expect much progress in Congress.
- Track the LUMA "Evaluation": Look for official announcements regarding the "Integrated Resource Plan." This will tell you if the government is actually moving toward more solar and decentralized energy or just sticking with the status quo.
- Legislative Coalitions: Since the NPP doesn't have a massive, unquestionable supermajority in every corner of the legislature, watch for "cross-aisle" voting. Smaller parties like Proyecto Dignidad or the PIP-MVC block could become "kingmakers" on specific bills.
The 2024 election proved that the old rules are dead. Whether that leads to a more functional government or just more political gridlock remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: Puerto Rican voters aren't staying quiet anymore.