In a surprising turn, Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón (R-PR) secured a historic victory in Puerto Rico’s governor’s race on Election Day, flipping the governor's mansion for the Republicans.
This outcome is particularly notable given the high drama surrounding the campaign’s final days, marked by controversy over an off-color joke made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at a Donald Trump rally.
González-Colón, who currently serves as Puerto Rico's Resident Commissioner in the U.S. House of Representatives, made history when she was elected to that role in 2016 as the first woman to hold the office. Although her role in Congress does not include a voting seat, she represents Puerto Rican interests in the Capitol—a position of influence she has leveraged to build a strong political following on the island.
Now, she adds another milestone by becoming Puerto Rico’s governor under the Republican banner, marking a shift in the island’s political landscape.
Republican Jenniffer González-Colón, Puerto Rico's congresswoman since 2017, wins the gubernatorial election.
🔴 Republican GAIN#PuertoRicohttps://t.co/ScClGUOCwe https://t.co/jgmpR3O9q4
— Dennis Lennox (@dennislennox) November 6, 2024
Her win follows a whirlwind of criticism directed at the Trump rally, held at Madison Square Garden on October 27. Hinchcliffe’s joke, referencing pollution and calling Puerto Rico “garbage,” drew sharp disapproval from the crowd.
Reactions were swift on both sides, as Ángel Cintrón, the chair of Puerto Rico’s Republican Party, voiced his anger and went as far as saying he would not cast a vote for Trump unless an apology was issued. For his part, Trump distanced himself from the comedian’s remarks, claiming he hadn’t heard them.
With Democrats and several media outlets predicting a backlash among Puerto Rican voters, the island’s political landscape was awash in speculation.
Analysts anticipated a potential drop in support for González-Colón, given that Trump’s remarks have long been a point of tension among Puerto Rican communities both on the island and in the mainland U.S. Despite these predictions, González-Colón defied the forecasts with a decisive eight-point lead in her race, underscoring a strong local endorsement of her leadership. Notably, Trump also held his ground in key areas like Florida, where many Puerto Rican communities reside.