2024 Puerto Rico Elections: Dalmau’s PIP Gains Record Support in Puerto Rico Milestone

By Harry Negron, November 6, 2024

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Jennifer Gonzalez of the New Progressive Party (PNP) has emerged as Puerto Rico’s next governor with 40% of the vote counted so far. While Gonzalez’s victory secures a continuation of the PNP’s pro-statehood stance, a significant shift within the electorate highlights the appeal of Juan Dalmau from the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP), who captured 32% of the vote—a major increase for a party that traditionally polls in the low single digits.

Dalmau’s success indicates a growing momentum for Puerto Rican independence, driven by younger voters. Polling data and demographics reveal that over 70% of voters under 45 supported Dalmau, reflecting a disillusionment with the longstanding bipartisan control of Puerto Rican politics. In the previous gubernatorial race, Dalmau earned only 2% of the vote, making his performance in this election a historic milestone for the PIP and a clear signal that many Puerto Ricans are seeking change.

Puerto Rico’s political landscape has long been shaped by questions surrounding its relationship with the United States. The PNP continues to push for statehood, while the Popular Democratic Party (PPD) favors the current commonwealth status. Dalmau’s platform diverged from these traditional positions, emphasizing economic reforms, healthcare access, educational improvements, and a move toward decolonization. Many young Puerto Ricans, facing high unemployment, ongoing emigration, and the constraints of federal oversight through the Financial Oversight and Management Board, resonated with Dalmau’s message of independence and self-governance.

Experts suggest that if this trend continues, the PIP could be a major contender for the governorship by 2032, potentially leading Puerto Rico toward a historic shift. With a significant share of support from the island’s younger population, Dalmau’s rise illustrates that independence has become a viable option for Puerto Rico’s future.