2012 Puerto Rican general election

none February 2026 September 2023 Puerto Rico 2008 Puerto Rican general election 2008 2016 Puerto Rican general election 2016 November 6, 2012 yes Gubernatorial election presidential 78.11% Alejandro Garcia Padilla -cropped.jpg Alejandro García Padilla Popular Democratic Party (Puerto Rico) 896,060 48.04% Luis Fortuño official congressional photo 3 crop.jpg Luis Fortuño New Progressive Party (Puerto Rico) 884,775 47.44% Puerto Rico Governor Municipalities 2012.svg Results by municipalityPadilla: #ffb2b2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% Fortuño: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% Governor Luis Fortuño New Progressive Party (Puerto Rico) Alejandro García Padilla Popular Democratic Party (Puerto Rico) presidential yes Resident Commissioner election Pedro Pierluisi Pedro-Pierluisi-cropped 2.jpg New Progressive Party (Puerto Rico) Democratic Party (United States) 905,066 48.76% 3x4.svg Rafael Cox Alomar Popular Democratic Party (Puerto Rico) Democratic Party (United States) 881,181 47.47% Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner 2012.svg Results by municipalityCox: #ffb2b2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% Pierluisi: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi New Progressive Party (Puerto Rico) Pedro Pierluisi New Progressive Party (Puerto Rico) General elections were held in Puerto Rico on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, to elect the officials of the Puerto Rican government that would serve for the next four years, including the governor, resident commissioner and members of the Legislative Assembly.https://www.mherrera.org/elections.htm Electoral Calendar - international elections world elections 2011-05-12 A status referendum was held on the same date. The gubernatorial elections were won by then-Senator Alejandro García Padilla from the Popular Democratic Party (PPD), who defeated incumbent governor Luis Fortuño from the New Progressive Party (PNP) in a close election. This election marked the second time in more than 40 years that six parties participated in the election, the first time in more than 60 years that a status referendum was held on the same day as the general election, and the first time in Puerto Rico that absentee ballots were issued for those who were out of the country on the day of the election.http://www.vocero.com/eleccion-para-la-historia/ Elección para la historia El Vocero Díaz, Carmen June 24, 2012 September 15, 2012 July 6, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120706035245/http://www.vocero.com/eleccion-para-la-historia/ dead As of , this was the most recent time a member of the Popular Democratic Party won the governorship of Puerto Rico. In the elections for Resident Commissioner, incumbent Pedro Pierluisi of the PNP (who caucused with the Democratic Party and who was first elected in 2008, narrowly won reelection for a second term.Puerto Rican Governor Luis Fortuno loses re-election http://www.voxxi.com/puerto-rican-fortuno-loses-re-election/ Voxxi 2012-11-07 2012-11-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20130929013548/http://www.voxxi.com/puerto-rican-fortuno-loses-re-election/ 2013-09-29 dead Pierluisi defeated his closest opponent, Rafael Cox Alomar of the PPD by almost 1.3%. Candidates Before the election year, the constitution of Puerto Rico provides for any qualified person to present their candidacy for a specific position. If two or more candidates from the same party present their candidacy for the same position, and they can't reach an agreement within the party, a primary election is held. This election is held within the inscribed members of each party, to select which of the candidates will represent the party in the general election. Both of the main parties, the PNP and PPD, held primaries for several positions on March 18, 2012. New Progressive Party (PNP) 2012 New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico primaries The primaries were held on March 18, 2012, to determine several candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives, and others. Popular Democratic Party (PPD) 2012 Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico primaries The primaries were held on March 18, 2012, to determine several candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives, and others. Governor New Progressive Party Incumbent Governor of Puerto Rico, Luis Fortuño, announced his candidacy for reelection in October 2011.http://wkaq580.univision.com/noticias/article/2011-10-07/luis-fortuno-anuncia-su-candidatura-a-la-reeleccion-a-gobernador-de-puerto-rico Luis Fortuño anuncia su candidatura a la reelección a gobernador de Puerto Rico en 2012 WKAQ 580 October 7, 2011 September 15, 2012 Former Secretary of Health, Iván González Cancel, challenged him to a primary, but the court ruled it out.http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1312163959 González Cancel launches NPP primary fight Puerto Rico Daily Sun August 1, 2011 Bliss, Peggy Ann September 15, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120328102707/http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=news.article&id=1312163959 March 28, 2012 deadhttp://www.elnuevodia.com/siguelaesperapordecisionjudicialelmedicoivangonzalezcancel-1337916.html Sigue la espera por decisión judicial el médico Iván González Cancel El Nuevo Día Cordero, Gerardo September 5, 2012 September 15, 2012 September 9, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120909130808/http://www.elnuevodia.com/siguelaesperapordecisionjudicialelmedicoivangonzalezcancel-1337916.html dead Popular Democratic Party Current senator Alejandro García Padilla, announced his candidacy in March 2011.Primera Hora http://www.primerahora.com/garciapadillasetiradepecho-480821.html Alejandro García Padilla se tira de pecho March 7, 2011 April 5, 2011 Gómez, Antonio March 10, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110310165838/http://www.primerahora.com/garciapadillasetiradepecho-480821.html dead Puerto Rican Independence Party Former Electoral Commissioner Juan Dalmau Ramírez, announced his candidacy for the Puerto Rican Independence Party. In January 2012, he presented his campaign staff and government program. Puerto Rico Daily Sun http://www.prdailysun.com/index.php?page=supplements.article&id=1327893701 PIP presents campaign staff and government program January 30, 2012 May 11, 2012 June 2023 InternetArchiveBot yes Puerto Ricans for Puerto Rico Rogelio Figueroa was the candidate for governor for the PPR party.http://borinqueya.net/?p=24091 https://archive.today/20130221062719/http://borinqueya.net/?p=24091 dead 2013-02-21 Rogelio Figueroa lanza su campaña como candidato a la gobernación Movimiento Unión Soberanista The MUS had chosen Dr. Enrique Vázquez Quintana as candidate for governor.https://www.redbetances.com/columnas/51-en-portada/1079-inter-news-service.html MUS ratifuca sus candidatos para las elecciones generales RedBetances However, in August 2012, Vázquez Quintana withdrew from the candidacy. A week later, he was replaced by Attorney Arturo Hernández, who was formerly president of the Puerto Rico Bar Association.http://www.vocero.com/mus-elige-a-arturo-hernandez-como-candidato-gobernador/ MUS elige a Arturo Hernández como candidato a gobernador El Vocero August 12, 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20130108024942/http://www.vocero.com/mus-elige-a-arturo-hernandez-como-candidato-gobernador/ January 8, 2013 Hernández was already a candidate for the Senate of Puerto Rico. Working People's Party Professor Rafael Bernabe was announced as the gubernatorial candidate for the PPT in June 2012.http://www.primerahora.com/rafaelbernabeeselcandidatoalagobernacionporelppt-660406.html Rafael Bernabe es el candidato a la gobernación por el PPT Rivera, Ivelisse June 16, 2012 September 15, 2012 June 30, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120630215908/http://www.primerahora.com/rafaelbernabeeselcandidatoalagobernacionporelppt-660406.html dead Resident Commissioner The incumbent Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico Pedro Pierluisi, from the PNP, faced the following candidates for the position: Rafael Cox Alomar, Popular Democratic Party (PPD) Juan Mercado Nieves, Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) Sadiasept Guillont Juarbe, Puerto Ricans for Puerto Rico Party (PPR) María de Lourdes Guzmán, Movimiento Union Soberanista (MUS) Félix Córdova Iturregui, Working People's Party (PPT) Senate 2012 Puerto Rico Senate election At-large The ballot featured seventeen (17) candidates from six different parties and one independent candidate (bold denotes incumbent candidates) New Progressive Party (PNP) Lucy Arce Margarita Nolasco Itzamar Peña Thomas Rivera Schatz Melinda Romero Larry Seilhamer Popular Democratic Party (PPD) Eduardo Bhatia Antonio Fas Alzamora Rossana López León Angel Rosa Cirilo Tirado Rivera Aníbal José Torres Other parties María de Lourdes Santiago (PIP) Carmen M. Sánchez Betancourt (PPR) José "Che" Paraliticci (MUS) Ineabelle Colón (PPT) Herminio Pagán Calderín (independent) District San Juan Angel "Luigi" Alicea (PIP) Isabel Borras Marín (MUS) José "Pepe" Córdova (PPT) Liza Fernández (PNP) Héctor González Pereira (PIP) Fred Guillont Juarbe (PPR) Zoé Laboy (PNP) José Nadal Power (PPD) Ramón Luis Nieves (PPD) Bayamón Ruth E. Arroyo Muñoz (PPT) Víctor Caraballo (PIP) Miguel Reyes Dávila (PPD) José Orlando Muñoz (PPD) Migdalia Padilla (PNP) Carmelo Ríos Santiago (PNP) José A. Ojeda Santos (PIP) Carlos Alberto Velázquez (MUS) Arecibo Wanda Arroyo (PPD) Jaime Bonel González (PIP) Rafael Capella Angueira (MUS) Luis Cruz (PIP) Angel "Chayanne" Martínez (PNP) José "Joito" Pérez (PNP) Rubén Soto (PPD) Mayagüez-Aguadilla María Teresa González (PPD) Alberto O. Lozada Colón (MUS) Edwin Morales Pérez (PPT) Luis Daniel Muñíz (PNP) Gilberto Rodríguez (PPD) Orlando Ruiz Pesante (PIP) Samuel Soto Bosques (PIP) Evelyn Vázquez (PNP) Ponce Luis Berdiel (PNP) Javier Maldonado Mercado (PIP) Luis Enrique Martínez (PIP) Ramón Ruiz (PPD) Martín Vargas Morales (PPD) Eliezer Velázquez (PNP) Guayama Roberto Colón Ocasio (MUS) José Enrique Laboy Gómez (PIP) Benjamín "Bengie" León (independent) Miguel Pereira (PPD) Edny Ramírez Pagán (PIP) Angel Rodríguez Otero (PPD) Miguel Rodríguez (PNP) Carlos Javier Torres (PNP) Humacao Maritza Algarín Sepúlveda (PIP) Vilma Calderón Jiménez (MUS) José Luis Dalmau (PPD) José Ramón Díaz (PNP) José Luis "Tito" Dones (PPR) Juan "Cholo" Lebrón (PIP) Carlos Mercado Cotto (PPT) Luz M. Santiago González (PNP) Jorge Suárez Cáceres (PPD) Carolina Pedro José "Pepe" Alvarez (PIP) Fabiola Carrasquillo (PPR) Edwin M. González (PPR) Roger Iglesias (PNP) Luis Daniel Rivera (PPD) Dwight E. Rodríguez Orta (PIP) Pedro A. Rodríguez (PPD) Guillermo Sosa Rodríguez (MUS) Lornna Soto (PNP) House of Representatives At-large The ballot featured sixteen (16) candidates from six different parties and one independent candidate (bold denotes incumbent candidates) New Progressive Party (PNP) José Aponte Jenniffer González José E. Meléndez Ortíz María Milagros Charbonier Lourdes Ramos José "Pichy" Torres Zamora Popular Democratic Party (PPD) Jaime Perelló Luis Vega Ramos Charlie Hernández Jorge Colberg Toro Eduardo Ferrer Ríos Brenda López de Arrarás Other parties Dennis Márquez (PIP) Edwin Meléndez Delgado (PPR) José "Tato" Rivera Santana (MUS) Eva L. Ayala (PPT) Alexander Febus Medina (independent) Campaign The campaign of the main opposing party, the PPD, focused mostly on the problems of crime, unemployment, and high utility costs, attributing them to the failure of the incumbent governor, Luis Fortuño, from the PNP.http://www.noticel.com/noticia/131347/fortuno-no-ha-cumplido-20-de-24-promesas-sobre-criminalidad-dice-ppd.html Fortuño no ha cumplido 20 de 24 promesas sobre criminalidad NotiCel 2012-10-06 2012-11-06 2012-10-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20121008001042/http://www.noticel.com/noticia/131347/fortuno-no-ha-cumplido-20-de-24-promesas-sobre-criminalidad-dice-ppd.html dead The PNP, on the other hand, focused mostly on the lack of experience of the PPD candidate, Alejandro García Padilla.http://www.elnuevodia.com/duopnpatacarecordlegislativodegarciapadilla-1375453.html Dúo PNP ataca récord legislativo de García Padilla El Nuevo Día Cordero, Gerardo and Rebecca Banuchi October 31, 2012 November 6, 2012 November 3, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121103234456/http://www.elnuevodia.com/duopnpatacarecordlegislativodegarciapadilla-1375453.html dead The minority parties have directed their campaign at the inability of the main two parties to administer the country. The Puerto Ricans for Puerto Rico Party (PPR) attacked the alleged classism and social inequality of the current government,http://www.elnuevodia.com/unmensajeclaroymascontacto-1372231.html Un mensaje claro y más contacto El Nuevo Día Rodríguez, Israel October 27, 2012 November 6, 2012 October 28, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121028215917/http://www.elnuevodia.com/unmensajeclaroymascontacto-1372231.html dead while the Working People's Party (PPT) advocated for a government more attuned to the working class.http://www.elnuevodia.com/prometeelpptqueseguiraenpiedelucha-1377570.html Promete el PPT que seguirá en pie de lucha El Nuevo Día Rivera, Aurora November 4, 2012 November 6, 2012 November 5, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121105233632/http://www.elnuevodia.com/prometeelpptqueseguiraenpiedelucha-1377570.html dead Debates There were two official debates celebrated with all gubernatorial candidates. The first one was held on September 11, 2012, under the title of "Vota o Quédate Calla'o" ("Vote or Keep your Mouth Shut"). It was transmitted by the television network of Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez. The second debate was held on October 25, 2012, under the title of "El Gran Debate". This debate was transmitted by Telemundo and had the best TV ratings for the night with 18.7 and a 27.3% share.http://www.elnuevodia.com/elgrandebateacaparalateleaudiencia-1371936.html El Gran Debate acapara la teleaudiencia El Nuevo Día 2012-11-06 2012-10-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20121028215959/http://www.elnuevodia.com/elgrandebateacaparalateleaudiencia-1371936.html dead Results Governor In the morning of November 7, 2012, Fortuño conceded the election to Alejandro García Padilla, just as the last votes were being counted.http://www.elnuevodia.com/luisfortunoaceptasuderrota-1380402.html Luis Fortuño acepta su derrota El Nuevo Día November 7, 2012 November 8, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121109014234/http://www.elnuevodia.com/luisfortunoaceptasuderrota-1380402.html November 9, 2012 dead mdy-all The margin of victory was 0.7% (or 11,049 votes) which would make it the second closest election in the island in the last 20 years. The candidates of the minority parties all received less than the required 3% to remain registered. Notably, Rogelio Figueroa (from the PPR) received only 0.4% of the vote after receiving 3% in the 2008 general elections. Alejandro García Padilla Popular Democratic Party 896060 Luis Fortuño New Progressive Party 884775 Juan Dalmau Puerto Rican Independence Party 47331 Rafael Bernabe Riefkohl Working People's Party 18312 Arturo Hernández Movimiento Unión Soberanista 10523 Rogelio Figueroa Puerto Ricans for Puerto Rico Party 6668 Write-ins 1375 7488 4523 2402941 Puerto Rico Election Archive Resident commissioner The incumbent Pedro Pierluisi from the PNP defeated the candidate from the PPD, Rafael Cox Alomar. Pierluisi managed to be reelected, despite the fact that his ballot partner, Governor Fortuño, lost against the PPD candidate. This would be the second time in the last 10 years where the governor and the resident commissioner came from different parties. The first one was after the 2004 elections where PPD candidate Aníbal Acevedo Vilá narrowly won the election, while Fortuño (PNP) was elected resident commissioner. Pedro Pierluisi New Progressive Party 905066 Rafael Cox Alomar Popular Democratic Party 881181 Juan Mercado Nieves Puerto Rican Independence Party 38941 Félix Córdova Iturregui Working People's Party 13120 María de Lourdes Guzmán Movimiento Unión Soberanista 11764 Sadiasept Guillont Juarbe Puerto Ricans for Puerto Rico Party 5647 Write-ins 626 4523 7488 2402941 Puerto Rico Election Archive Senate The PPD won a majority of seats in the Senate of Puerto Rico, with a total of 18 out of 27. The PNP won a total of 8 seats, while the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) won one seat. The PPD won the majority after two terms of being a minority. The election of a senator from the PIP also comes after one term with no senator seated. The PPD won six of the Puerto Rico Senatorial districts. The PNP won only two districts, despite winning all eight during the previous elections. At-large District Popular Democratic Party 822011 6 1767573 12 18 New Progressive Party 788426 4 1677558 4 8 Puerto Rican Independence Party 138167 1 97626 0 1 Movimiento Unión Soberanista 11842 0 16384 0 0 Working People's Party 8891 0 9859 0 0 Puerto Ricans for Puerto Rico Party 3256 0 4642 0 0 Other parties 291 0 1160 0 0 Independents 13327 0 243 0 0 9293 9193 2402941 Puerto Rico Election Archive House of Representatives The PPD also won a majority of seats in the Puerto Rico House of Representatives, with a total of 28 out of 51. The PNP won a total of 23 seats. The other minority parties won no seats. Like with the Senate, the PPD won the majority after two terms of being a minority. At-large District Popular Democratic Party 842513 6 884677 22 28 New Progressive Party 826323 5 853571 18 23 Puerto Rican Independence Party 87716 0 48606 0 0 Movimiento Unión Soberanista 22196 0 7560 0 0 Working People's Party 10656 0 4506 0 0 Puerto Ricans for Puerto Rico Party 4560 0 864 0 0 Other parties 424 0 8538 0 0 Independents 739 0 0 9293 9293 9193 9193 2402941 2402941 Puerto Rico Election Archive Mayors The PPD won a majority of the mayoralty races in the island, with a total of 46 out of 78 municipalities. The New Progressive Party (PNP) won a total of 31. One of the most notable races featured PPD candidate Carmen Yulín Cruz defeating incumbent Jorge Santini (PNP) for the mayoralty of the capital city of San Juan after 12 years in the seat. Mayoralties Popular Democratic Party 47 New Progressive Party 31 Puerto Rican Independence Party 0 Movimiento Unión Soberanista 0 Working People's Party 0 Puerto Ricans for Puerto Rico Party 0 References Category:General elections in Puerto Rico General Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Category:United States House of Representatives elections in Puerto Rico Category:Puerto Rico gubernatorial elections Puerto Rico Puerto