Pablo José Hernández (D) has been the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico since January 2025. Prior to this position, he had a career in politics and as an author. His passion for the Puerto Rican people has been expressed through his speeches and his writing. This profile is an overview of Pablo José Hernández’s background, accomplishments, and influence. It also examines the relationship between Hernández’s beliefs and his actions as Resident Commissioner.
Early life
Pablo José Hernández was born on May 11, 1991, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Hernández obtained a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in Government from Harvard University in 2013 and a Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School in 2017. During his time in Law School, he collaborated with the Immigrants’ Rights Clinic to explore the connection between social media and democracy. His grandfather, Rafael Hernández Colón, served as governor of Puerto Rico from 1973-1977 and from 1985 to 1993.
Pablo Jose Hernandez on a caravana during his resident commissioner campaign. Image credit: Pablo Jose Hernandez for Resident Commissioner Campaign
Political career
Even before he was able to vote, Hernández was involved in politics. He began his political career in 2008 as a volunteer for a mayoral race in San Juan. In 2012, he served as absentee voting coordinator for Puerto Rico’s Popular Democratic Party. Before graduating from law school, he worked in the office of Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla (D) of Puerto Rico. There, he focused on policy and administrative priorities. After he graduated, he clerked for Judge Gustavo Gelpí in Puerto Rico’s Federal District court.
Hernández assumed office as Resident Commissioner in January 2025. He currently sits on the House Committee on Homeland Security and the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Additionally, Hernández is a published author. His notable works include Compatriotas: Exilio y retorno de Luis Muñoz Marín (Compatriots: Exile and Return of Luis Muñoz Marín), which covered the years 1968-1972 in the career of former governorLuis Muñoz Marín (D).
Ideology
Hernández identifies with the Popular Democratic Party on the local level and the Democratic Party on the national level.
He has described himself as a candidate who opposes Puerto Rico obtaining statehood, citing that it was more important for Puerto Rico’s government officials to focus on other issues. This has caused some controversy since, according to the latest plebiscite, the majority of Puerto Ricans support statehood. Nonetheless, Hernández explains that “the lack of a clear mandate, declining support, and Republican opposition to statehood in Washington should suffice to pause all discussions regarding the topic” in an article published in The Hill.
Major accomplishments
Following the 2024 election, Hernández broke records. He was elected with the highest number of votes of any official in the 2024 election, and he also became the youngest Resident Commissioner in Puerto Rico’s history.
In his term as Resident Commissioner, he managed to file eight bills in his first 100 days. Hernández has made sure that information about Puerto Rico’s recent history is known to other members of Congress, delivering over a dozen speeches in his first 100 days. He is set to win an award from the Democratic Caucus for his efforts.
Future prospects
After the damage of Hurricane Maria in 2017, Puerto Rico was left with an unreliable electrical grid that has caused many blackouts throughout the islands. This has placed many residents in economic and social distress, as businesses, tourism, and everyday life have been disrupted. On the eighth anniversary of Hurricane Maria, Hernández expressed that “the response of our people was one of indomitable strength…we move forward with our eyes set on reconstruction and a dignified future.” As Resident Commissioner, he has previously sponsored bills related to disaster relief, such as HR152 Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination Act, and HR153 Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act, making it clear that one of his goals from the time he was elected is to find a permanent solution for Puerto Rico’s power problem.
With more than three years before his term ends in January 2029, Hernández’s impact is seemingly only just beginning. As the PDP (Popular Democratic Party) President, he is a strong contender for being the party’s gubernatorial nominee in the next elections. However, regarding his future aspirations, he has expressed that re-election is not a current priority for him. Hernández states that “I was elected by the people to be their resident commissioner, not to begin campaigning for an election four years from now.”
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Amber Jiao is a student at Poolesville High School in Poolesville, Maryland. She is passionate about public policy and social justice. In her free time, Amber enjoys rock climbing, visiting art museums, and exploring the city with her friends. At Pasquines, she is a Political Affairs Intern Correspondent.
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