Jenniffer González of Puerto Rico's pro-statehood party edges ahead in gubernatorial election
Jenniffer González of Puerto Rico's pro-statehood New Progressive Party is leading polls in a historic gubernatorial election that could see her party secure a third consecutive term for the first time
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Jenniffer González of Puerto Rico's pro-statehood New Progressive Party was leading polls on Wednesday in a historic gubernatorial election that could see her party secure a third consecutive term for the first time.
González had 39%, or 438,183 votes with 91% of precincts reporting, according to Puerto Rico’s State Elections Commission.
Coming in second so far was Juan Dalmau, who ran for Puerto Rico’s Independence Party and Citizen Victory Movement. He obtained 33% or 364,145 of votes, making him the first candidate from outside the two main parties in the island to finish second in Puerto Rico’s general election.
No winner has been certified, Jessica Padilla, the commission’s alternate president, said at a news conference early Wednesday.
“There are still votes in process of being counted,” she said.
On Tuesday, the commission is scheduled to start reviewing all votes and eventually certify final results, although it's too early to say when that would happen.
While González claimed a win, Dalmau said his party would wait until every vote had been counted.
“This is the beginning of a glorious transformation of our country,” he said late Tuesday. Thank you for helping me make history.”
The Popular Democratic Party, a major party that supports the island’s status as a U.S. territory, was pushed into third place as its candidate Jesús Manuel Ortiz obtained 21% or 233,470 votes. Meanwhile, Javier Jiménez of Project Dignity, a conservative party, obtained 7% of the vote.
The winner will replace Gov.
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