Elections

PPD gains control of Young Democrats Puerto Rico Chapter

By William-Jose Velez GonzalezComment

pasquines.us/2013/08/15/ppd-gains-control-of-young-democrats-puerto-rico-chapter/

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Following the announcement by Phillip Arroyo that he would not seek another term as president of the Puerto Rico Chapter of the Young Democrats of America, elections were held and the leadership of the chapter has now fallen in hands of the Popular Democratic Party. Ricardo Alfaro, Director of Digital Strategy for the Governor of Puerto Rico won the presidency of the chapter, marking the first time in years a statehood proponent is not at the helm of the organization. Alfaro prevailed over Zulma Rovira who had the support of Arroyo for the presidency of the chapter.

Despite the bipartisan congratulatory remarks for Alfaro, the turn of events represents a setback for an organization that on several occasions has issued resolutions and voiced its support of self determination initiatives and most recently, for the admission of Puerto Rico as the next US state. In fact it seems that Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla has threatened to seek a withdrawal of the resolution recently enacted by the YDA asking for the acknowledgement of the results of the 2012 plebiscite, and the admission of Puerto Rico into the union. The organization still has in its platform its support for Puerto Rico statehood, language that will remain there until 2015.

The election of Alfaro marks the first time in recent memory PPD members get actively involved with national political organizations, since in recent years only New Progressive Party and statehood supporters had done so with both the Democratic and Republican parties.

At a glance

Puerto Rico
State Elections CommissionNext election
Guam
Guam Election CommissionNext election
United States Virgin Islands
Election System of the US Virgin IslandsNext election
American Samoa
American Samoa Election OfficeNext election
Northern Mariana Islands
Commonwealth Election CommissionNext election

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About the author

William-Jose Velez Gonzalez

William-Jose Velez Gonzalez

William-José Vélez González is a native from Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, and a graduate from Florida International University in biomedical engineering, engineering management, and international relations. A designer with a strong interest in science, policy, and innovation, he previously served as the national executive vice president of the Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association. William-José lives in Washington, DC, where he works at the Children's National Research Institute and runs Opsin, a nonprofit design studio dedicated to making design more accessible. You can see him on Love is Blind as Lydia's brother. He is the founder and Editor in Chief of Pasquines.

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