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2012 Puerto Rican general election

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2012 Puerto Rican general election
←2008 November 6, 2012 2016→
Gubernatorial election
Turnout78.11%
Candidate Alejandro García Padilla Luis Fortuño
Party Popular Democratic New Progressive
Popular vote 896,060 884,775
Percentage 48.04% 47.44%
Results by municipality
Padilla:40-50%50-60%
Fortuño:40–50%50–60%
Governor before election

Luis Fortuño
New Progressive

Elected Governor

Alejandro García Padilla
Popular Democratic

Resident Commissioner election
Candidate Pedro Pierluisi Rafael Cox Alomar
Party New Progressive Popular Democratic
Alliance Democratic Democratic
Popular vote 905,066 881,181
Percentage 48.76% 47.47%
Results by municipality
Pierluisi:40-50%50-60%
Alomar:40–50%50–60%
Resident Commissioner before election

Pedro Pierluisi
New Progressive

Elected Resident Commissioner

Pedro Pierluisi
New Progressive

Elections in Puerto Rico
General elections
Referendums
Shadow Congresspeople
Gubernatorial
Resident Commissioner
Senate
House of Representatives
Mayors
PNP primaries
PPD primaries
Democratic primaries
Republican primaries
Transition processes

General elections were held inPuerto Ricoon Tuesday, November 6, 2012, to elect the officials of thePuerto Rican governmentthat would serve for the next four years, most notably theGovernor of Puerto Rico.[1]Astatus referendumwas held on the same date.

The gubernatorial elections were won by then-SenatorAlejandro García Padillafrom thePopular Democratic Party(PPD), who defeated incumbent governorLuis Fortuñofrom theNew 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 statusreferendumwas held on the same day as the general election, and the first time in Puerto Rico thatabsentee ballotswere issued for those who were out of the country on the day of the election.[2]As of 2023,this was the most recent time a member of thePopular Democratic Partywon the governorship of Puerto Rico, and the last time a Republican did so.

In the elections for Resident Commissioner, incumbentPedro Pierluisiof the PNP (who caucused with theDemocratic Partyand who was first elected in2008,narrowly won reelection for a second term.[3]Pierluisi defeated his closest opponent,Rafael Cox Alomarof the PPD by almost 1.3%.[3]

Candidates[edit]

Before the election year, theconstitution of Puerto Ricoprovides 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, aprimary electionis 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)[edit]

Main article:2012 New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico primaries

The primaries were held on March 18, 2012 to determine several candidates for theSenate,House of Representatives,and others.

Popular Democratic Party (PPD)[edit]

Main article:2012 Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico primaries

The primaries were held on March 18, 2012 to determine several candidates for theSenate,House of Representatives,and others.

Governor[edit]

New Progressive Party[edit]

IncumbentGovernor of Puerto Rico,Luis Fortuño,announced his candidacy for reelection in October 2011.[4]Former Secretary of Health,Iván González Cancel,challenged him to a primary, but the court ruled it out.[5][6]

Popular Democratic Party[edit]

Current senatorAlejandro García Padilla,announced his candidacy in March 2011.[7]

Puerto Rican Independence Party[edit]

Former Electoral CommissionerJuan Dalmau Ramírez,announced his candidacy for the Puerto Rican Independence Party. In January 2012, he presented his campaign staff and government program.[8]

Puerto Ricans for Puerto Rico[edit]

Rogelio Figueroawas the candidate for governor for thePPRparty.[9]

Movimiento Unión Soberanista[edit]

TheMUShad chosen Dr. Enrique Vázquez Quintana as candidate for governor.[10]However, in August 2012, Vázquez Quintana withdrew from the candidacy. A week later, he was replaced by AttorneyArturo Hernández,who was formerly president of thePuerto Rico Bar Association.[11]Hernández was already a candidate for theSenate of Puerto Rico.

Working People's Party[edit]

Professor Rafael Bernabe was announced as the gubernatorial candidate for thePPTin June 2012.[12]

Resident Commissioner[edit]

The incumbentResident Commissioner of Puerto RicoPedro Pierluisi,from the PNP, faced the following candidates for the position:

Senate[edit]

Main article:2012 Puerto Rico Senate election

At-large[edit]

The ballot featured seventeen (17) candidates from six different parties and one independent candidate (bolddenotes incumbent candidates)

District[edit]

House of Representatives[edit]

At-large[edit]

The ballot featured sixteen (16) candidates from six different parties and one independent candidate (bolddenotes incumbent candidates)

Campaign[edit]

The campaign of the main opposing party, the PPD, focused mostly on the problems ofcrime,unemployment,and high utility costs, attributing them to the failure of the incumbent governor,Luis Fortuño,from the PNP.[13]The PNP, on the other hand, focused mostly on the lack of experience of the PPD candidate,Alejandro García Padilla.[14]

The minority parties have directed their campaign at the inability of the main two parties to administer the country. ThePuerto Ricans for Puerto Rico Party(PPR) attacked the allegedclassismandsocial inequalityof the current government,[15]while theWorking People's Party(PPT) advocated for a government more attuned to theworking class.[16]

Debates[edit]

There were two official debates celebrated with allgubernatorialcandidates. 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 ofSistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez.The second debate was held on October 25, 2012 under the title of "El Gran Debate". This debate was transmitted byTelemundoand had the best TV ratings for the night with 18.7 and a 27.3% share.[17]

Results[edit]

Governor[edit]

In the morning of November 7, 2012, Fortuño conceded the election to Alejandro García Padilla, just as the last votes were being counted.[18]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 thePPR) received only 0.4% of the vote after receiving 3% in the2008 general elections.

CandidatePartyVotes%
Alejandro García PadillaPopular Democratic Party896,06048.04
Luis FortuñoNew Progressive Party884,77547.44
Juan DalmauPuerto Rican Independence Party47,3312.54
Rafael Bernabe RiefkohlWorking People's Party18,3120.98
Arturo HernándezMovimiento Unión Soberanista10,5230.56
Rogelio FigueroaPuerto Ricans for Puerto Rico Party6,6680.36
Write-ins1,3750.07
Total1,865,044100.00
Valid votes1,865,04499.36
Invalid votes7,4880.40
Blank votes4,5230.24
Total votes1,877,055100.00
Registered voters/turnout2,402,94178.11
Source:Puerto Rico Election Archive

Resident commissioner[edit]

The incumbentPedro Pierluisifrom 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 the2004 electionswhere PPD candidateAníbal Acevedo Vilánarrowly won the election, while Fortuño (PNP) was elected resident commissioner.

CandidatePartyVotes%
Pedro PierluisiNew Progressive Party905,06648.76
Rafael Cox AlomarPopular Democratic Party881,18147.47
Juan Mercado NievesPuerto Rican Independence Party38,9412.10
Félix Córdova IturreguiWorking People's Party13,1200.71
María de Lourdes GuzmánMovimiento Unión Soberanista11,7640.63
Sadiasept Guillont JuarbePuerto Ricans for Puerto Rico Party5,6470.30
Write-ins6260.03
Total1,856,345100.00
Valid votes1,856,34599.36
Invalid votes7,4880.40
Blank votes4,5230.24
Total votes1,868,356100.00
Registered voters/turnout2,402,94177.75
Source:Puerto Rico Election Archive

Senate[edit]

The PPD won a majority of seats in theSenate of Puerto Rico,with a total of 18 out of 27. The PNP won a total of 8 seats, while thePuerto 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 thePuerto Rico Senatorial districts.The PNP won only two districts, despite winning all eight during theprevious elections.

PartyAt-largeDistrictTotal
seats
Votes%SeatsVotes%Seats
Popular Democratic Party822,01146.0261,767,57349.441218
New Progressive Party788,42644.1441,677,55846.9248
Puerto Rican Independence Party138,1677.74197,6262.7301
Movimiento Unión Soberanista11,8420.66016,3840.4600
Working People's Party8,8910.5009,8590.2800
Puerto Ricans for Puerto Rico Party3,2560.1804,6420.1300
Other parties2910.0201,1600.0300
Independents13,3270.7502430.0100
Total1,786,211100.00113,575,045100.001627
Valid votes1,786,21198.98
Invalid votes9,2930.51
Blank votes9,1930.51
Total votes1,804,697100.00
Registered voters/turnout2,402,94175.10
Source:Puerto Rico Election Archive

House of Representatives[edit]

The PPD also won a majority of seats in thePuerto 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.

PartyAt-largeDistrictTotal
seats
Votes%SeatsVotes%Seats
Popular Democratic Party842,51346.936884,67748.922228
New Progressive Party826,32346.035853,57147.201823
Puerto Rican Independence Party87,7164.89048,6062.6900
Movimiento Unión Soberanista22,1961.2407,5600.4200
Working People's Party10,6560.5904,5060.2500
Puerto Ricans for Puerto Rico Party4,5600.2508640.0500
Other parties4240.0208,5380.4700
Independents7390.0400
Total1,795,127100.00111,808,322100.004051
Valid votes1,795,12798.981,808,32298.99
Invalid votes9,2930.519,2930.51
Blank votes9,1930.519,1930.50
Total votes1,813,613100.001,826,808100.00
Registered voters/turnout2,402,94175.472,402,94176.02
Source:Puerto Rico Election Archive

Mayors[edit]

The PPD won a majority of the mayoralty races in the island, with a total of 46 out of 78 municipalities. TheNew Progressive Party(PNP) won a total of 31. One of the most notable races featured PPD candidateCarmen Yulín Cruzdefeating incumbentJorge Santini(PNP) for the mayoralty of the capital city ofSan Juanafter 12 years in the seat.

PartyMayoralties
Popular Democratic Party47
New Progressive Party31
Puerto Rican Independence Party0
Movimiento Unión Soberanista0
Working People's Party0
Puerto Ricans for Puerto Rico Party0
Total78

References[edit]

  1. ^"Electoral Calendar - international elections world elections".RetrievedMay 12,2011.
  2. ^Díaz, Carmen (June 24, 2012)."Elección para la historia".El Vocero.Archived fromthe originalon July 6, 2012.RetrievedSeptember 15,2012.
  3. ^ab"Puerto Rican Governor Luis Fortuno loses re-election".Voxxi.November 7, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon September 29, 2013.RetrievedNovember 10,2012.
  4. ^"Luis Fortuño anuncia su candidatura a la reelección a gobernador de Puerto Rico en 2012".WKAQ 580.October 7, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 15,2012.
  5. ^Bliss, Peggy Ann (August 1, 2011)."González Cancel launches NPP primary fight".Puerto Rico Daily Sun.Archived fromthe originalon March 28, 2012.RetrievedSeptember 15,2012.
  6. ^Cordero, Gerardo (September 5, 2012)."Sigue la espera por decisión judicial el médico Iván González Cancel".El Nuevo Día.Archived fromthe originalon September 9, 2012.RetrievedSeptember 15,2012.
  7. ^Gómez, Antonio (March 7, 2011)."Alejandro García Padilla se tira de pecho".Primera Hora.Archived fromthe originalon March 10, 2011.RetrievedApril 5,2011.
  8. ^"PIP presents campaign staff and government program".Puerto Rico Daily Sun.January 30, 2012.RetrievedMay 11,2012.[permanent dead link]
  9. ^"Rogelio Figueroa lanza su campaña como candidato a la gobernación".Archived fromthe originalon February 21, 2013.
  10. ^"MUS ratifuca sus candidatos para las elecciones generales".RedBetances.
  11. ^"MUS elige a Arturo Hernández como candidato a gobernador".El Vocero.August 12, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon January 8, 2013.
  12. ^Rivera, Ivelisse (June 16, 2012)."Rafael Bernabe es el candidato a la gobernación por el PPT".Archived fromthe originalon June 30, 2012.RetrievedSeptember 15,2012.
  13. ^"Fortuño no ha cumplido 20 de 24 promesas sobre criminalidad".NotiCel.October 6, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon October 8, 2012.RetrievedNovember 6,2012.
  14. ^Cordero, Gerardo and Rebecca Banuchi (October 31, 2012)."Dúo PNP ataca récord legislativo de García Padilla".El Nuevo Día.Archived fromthe originalon November 3, 2012.RetrievedNovember 6,2012.
  15. ^Rodríguez, Israel (October 27, 2012)."Un mensaje claro y más contacto".El Nuevo Día.Archived fromthe originalon October 28, 2012.RetrievedNovember 6,2012.
  16. ^Rivera, Aurora (November 4, 2012)."Promete el PPT que seguirá en pie de lucha".El Nuevo Día.Archived fromthe originalon November 5, 2012.RetrievedNovember 6,2012.
  17. ^"El Gran Debate acapara la teleaudiencia".El Nuevo Día.Archived fromthe originalon October 28, 2012.RetrievedNovember 6,2012.
  18. ^"Luis Fortuño acepta su derrota".El Nuevo Día.November 7, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon November 9, 2012.RetrievedNovember 8,2012.
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