Governor Jenniffer González-Colón (NPP, R) has announced new nominations for Secretary of State and Secretary of Justice in Puerto Rico following the withdrawal of three failed appointments since January. Rosachely Rivera Santana, current mayor of Gurabo, has been named as the new nominee for Secretary of State, while attorney and judge Lourdes Lynnette Gómez Torres has been nominated to lead the Department of Justice.
The announcement comes after a rocky start to González-Colón’s cabinet formation. Her first nominee for Secretary of State, Verónica Ferraiuoli Hornedo, whose nomination also failed to gain momentum in the Senate. Ferraiuoli formally resigned her nomination on April 27, after acknowledging that she lacked the necessary legislative support.
Ferraiuoli Hornedo was followed by Arthur Garffer, whose nomination was withdrawn after it was revealed he did not meet the constitutional five-year residency requirement to serve in the post. In his withdrawal letter, Garffer admitted he had lived outside Puerto Rico as recently as 2021, which contradicted the requirement and sparked bipartisan criticism in the legislature.
A similar outcome followed for the governor’s original Justice Department nominee, Janet Parra Mercado, a career prosecutor. Her nomination was withdrawn amid indications from Senate leadership that she would not be confirmed.
Seeking to reset her administration’s approach, González-Colón named Rivera Santana and Gómez Torres as her new nominees.
Rivera Santana is a psychologist and public administrator who currently serves as mayor of Gurabo. She last won reelection in 2024 with 78% of the vote. The governor described her as a key figure for implementing intergovernmental policy and someone who understands the needs of the people.
Meanwhile, Lourdes Lynnette Gómez Torres, nominated for Secretary of Justice, is a licensed attorney, current superior judge, and experienced public servant. She previously worked in the Department of Justice, the Administration for the Support of Minors, and the Municipality of Ponce.
“The work capacity, transparency, and the dedication to public service of both nominees represent the values that we want for our administration,” said González-Colón. “I am sure that both will contribute significantly to the development of Puerto Rico, ensuring an efficient and responsible government.”
Both appointments now move to the Senate of Puerto Rico for confirmation.
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