After P.R. gets third leader in a week, another is mulled
The game of musical chairs in Puerto Rico’s highest office does not seem to be over.
A day after Wanda Vazquez became the island’s third governor in a week, leaders of her New Progressive Party were already plotting another change — even as she vowed to serve through the end of next year.
Senate President Thomas Schatz, who led a successful lawsuit against the controversial swearing-in of Pedro Pierluisi as governor, has publicly endorsed Resident Commissioner Jenniffer Gonzalez for the job. Party members, including Gonzalez herself, appeared to support the idea.
“As the Resident Commissioner, I represent and advocate for Puerto Rico in Congress,” Gonzalez tweeted moments before going into a meeting with party leaders Thursday afternoon. “If the governor, the Legislature and, above all, God so dispose, I will be available to work for my people from any position.”
But Vazquez, who became governor hours after Puerto Rico’s Supreme Court ruled Pierluisi’s oath of office unconstitutional on Wednesday, has shown no signs that she plans to resign. On the contrary, she went on a media blitz Thursday pledging to stay in office through December 2020, when the current term ends — even though she had previously said she had no desire to become governor.
For Gonzalez to take the job, Vazquez would first have to nominate her for secretary of state, a post that would put her in the line of succession for governor. If the Legislature approves that appointment, Vazquez would then have to resign.
Gonzalez, 43, is the sole nonvoting representative for Puerto Rico in the U.S. Congress. She’s a Republican and lifelong supporter of Puerto Rican statehood.
It was unclear if Vazquez would be persuaded to give up the job, but her party was openly discussing the possibility Thursday.
“The leadership … basically agrees that Jenniffer should be the governor,” NPP member Jose Melendez said. “It is a matter that must be treated bit by bit because we do not know what is in the mind of Wanda Vazquez.”
In addition to pressure from her party, the unpopular 59-year-old might also face opposition in the streets. Critics say she did little to investigate corruption in her role as justice secretary.