Pedro Pierluisi
{{Short description|Governor of Puerto Rico from 2021 to 2025}}
{{Use American English|date = October 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{family name hatnote|Pierluisi|Urrutia|lang=Spanish}}
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{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Pedro Pierluisi
| image = Pedro R. Pierluisi.jpg
| office = Governor of Puerto Rico
| term_start = January 2, 2021
| term_end = January 2, 2025
| predecessor = Wanda Vázquez Garced
| successor = Jenniffer González
| term_start1 = August 2, 2019
| term_end1 = August 7, 2019{{efn|Pierluisi's swearing in was deemed unconstitutional and he was removed from office on August 7, 2019. Wanda Vázquez Garced was subsequently sworn in as governor.}}
De facto
| predecessor1 = Ricardo Rosselló
| successor1 = Wanda Vázquez Garced
| office2 = Secretary of State of Puerto Rico
| term_start2 = July 31, 2019
| term_end2 = August 2, 2019
Acting
| predecessor2 = María Marcano de León (acting)
| successor2 = María Marcano de León (acting)
| office3 = Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico
| term_start3 = January 3, 2009
| term_end3 = January 3, 2017
| predecessor3 = Luis Fortuño
| successor3 = Jenniffer González
| office4 = Secretary of Justice of Puerto Rico
| governor4 = Pedro Rosselló
| term_start4 = January 2, 1993
| term_end4 = January 2, 1997
| predecessor4 = Héctor Rivera Cruz
| successor4 = José Fuentes Agostini
| birth_name = Pedro Rafael Pierluisi
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1959|4|26}}
| birth_place = San Juan, Puerto Rico
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = New Progressive
| otherparty = Democratic
| spouse = María Rojo (1981–1998)
María Carrión (2007–2019)
Fabiola Ansótegui (m. 2024)
| children = 4
| relatives = José Jaime Pierluisi (brother)
| education = Tulane University (BA)
George Washington University (JD)
}}
Pedro Rafael Pierluisi Urrutia (born April 26, 1959) is an American politician and lawyer who served as the Governor of Puerto Rico from 2021 to 2025, having previously been the de facto governor from August 2–7, 2019. A member of New Progressive and Democratic Parties, he previously served as acting Secretary of State of Puerto Rico in 2019, as Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico from 2009 to 2017, and as Secretary of Justice of Puerto Rico from 1993 to 1997. He was formerly a private attorney for Puerto Rico's fiscal oversight board under the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act.
Pierluisi lost the New Progressive nomination in the 2024 gubernatorial election to Jenniffer González-Colón.
Early life and education
Pierluisi was born on April 26, 1959, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. His parents were Doris Urrutia and Jorge Pierluisi Diaz, former Secretary of Housing of Puerto Rico. He attended Colegio Marista Guaynabo in Guaynabo, graduating in 1977. In 1981, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in American History from Tulane University, and later earned a Juris Doctor degree from George Washington University Law School in 1984. He was President of the Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association chapter at Tulane University.{{cite web |url=http://www.statehoodpr.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327232705/http://www.statehoodpr.org/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-03-27 |title=Free Hosting Account Suspended - x10hosting |website=Statehoodpr.org |access-date=2016-04-28 }} Later, he was president of the George Washington University Law Society International from 1982 to 1983. During his studies at George Washington University, Pierluisi interned at the congressional office of then-Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico Baltasar Corrada del Río.{{cite web |title=Pedro Pierluisi, 1959- |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GPO-CDOC-108hdoc225/pdf/GPO-CDOC-108hdoc225-3-16.pdf |access-date=June 29, 2020 |archive-date=March 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330124947/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GPO-CDOC-108hdoc225/pdf/GPO-CDOC-108hdoc225-3-16.pdf |url-status=live }}
Professional career
Pierluisi first practiced law as a private attorney in Washington, D.C. from 1984 to 1990.{{cite news |title=¿Quién es Pedro Pierluisi, candidato del gobernador de Puerto Rico para remplazarlo? |url=https://www.elespectador.com/mundo/mas-paises/quien-es-pedro-pierluisi-candidato-del-gobernador-de-puerto-rico-para-remplazarlo-article-873865/ |access-date=10 April 2024 |publisher=El Espectador |date=Aug 1, 2019}} He was one of the principal attorneys representing the Government of Peru in its lawsuit against the Hunt Brothers, Nelson Bunker, William Herbert, and Lamar for attempting to corner the silver market in the late 1970s {{cite news |title=Los hermanos Hunt, condenados a pagar 130 millones de dólares a Perú |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1988/08/22/economia/588204006_850215.html |access-date=10 April 2024 |publisher=El Pais |date=Aug 22, 1988}} He then practiced law in Puerto Rico from 1990 until 1993.{{Cite web|title=PIERLUISI, Pedro {{!}} US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives|url=https://history.house.gov/People/Listing/P/PIERLUISI,-Pedro-(P000596)/|access-date=2021-05-02|website=history.house.gov|language=en|archive-date=May 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502012015/https://history.house.gov/People/Listing/P/PIERLUISI,-Pedro-(P000596)/|url-status=live}}
Political career
= Early years =
In 1993, Governor Pedro Rossello nominated Pierluisi to serve as Puerto Rico's Secretary of Justice. His nomination was unanimously confirmed by the Puerto Rican legislature.{{Cite web|title=¿Quién es Pedro Pierluisi?|url=https://www.primerahora.com/noticias/puerto-rico/notas/quien-es-pedro-pierluisi/|access-date=2021-05-02|website=Primera Hora|date=3 August 2019|language=es|archive-date=May 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502080302/https://www.primerahora.com/noticias/puerto-rico/notas/quien-es-pedro-pierluisi/|url-status=live}}
= Secretary of Justice of Puerto Rico =
In 1993, Pedro Rosselló, upon his election as Governor of Puerto Rico, appointed Pedro Pierluisi as the Secretary of Justice (Attorney General) for his administration. Pierluisi's confirmation was unanimously approved by the Senate of Puerto Rico.{{cite news|title=Gobernador de Puerto Rico nombra a Pedro Pierluisi secretario de Estado |url=https://www.elsoldelcentro.com.mx/mundo/gobernador-de-puerto-rico-nombra-a-pedro-pierluisi-secretario-de-estado-ricardo-rosello-bad-bunny-3973953.html |access-date=10 April 2024 |publisher=El Sol de Centro |date=Jul 31, 2019}} In 1994, Pierluisi collaborated with President Bill Clinton's administration, contributing to the efforts that led to the enactment of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act.{{cite news|last1=Forni |first1=Francisca |title=Pedro Pierluisi: la carta de sucesión de Rosselló en Puerto Rico |url=https://www.latercera.com/mundo/noticia/pedro-pierluisi-la-carta-sucesion-rossello-puerto-rico/762307/ |access-date=10 April 2024 |publisher=La Tercera}} Pierluisi concluded his term as Attorney General in January 1997.
= Resident Commissioner =
On May 18, 2007, Pedro Pierluisi declared his candidacy for the position of Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico, a role that serves as the island's sole representative in the U.S. Congress. In the 2008 elections, Pierluisi was elected by a significant margin. He was part of the New Progressive Party ticket alongside then-Resident Commissioner and gubernatorial candidate Luis Fortuño, following a narrowly contested primary within the party. Pierluisi endorsed Senator Barack Obama of Illinois for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination and served as a co-chair for Obama's campaign efforts in Puerto Rico.{{cite news |title=La señora Obama entra en campaña |url=https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2008/05/15/internacional/1210821584.html |access-date=10 April 2024 |publisher=El Mundo |date=May 15, 2005}}{{cite news |title=Richardson hará campaña por Obama en Puerto Rico |url=https://www.myplainview.com/news/article/Richardson-har-campa-a-por-Obama-en-Puerto-Rico-8468515.php |access-date=10 April 2024 |publisher=My Plainview |date=May 19, 2008}}
On May 15, 2013, Pierluisi introduced legislation advocating for the admission of Puerto Rico as a state of the United States.{{cite news |title=Pierluisi Introduces Historic Legislation |url=https://www.puertoricoreport.com/pierluisi-introduces-historic-legislation/ |access-date=10 April 2024 |publisher=Puerto Rico Report |date=May 15, 2013}}
In 2015, Pedro Pierluisi announced his intention to run for Governor of Puerto Rico. However, he was defeated in the primary elections held on June 5, 2016, by Ricky Rosselló, who subsequently became the president of the New Progressive Party and went on to win the governorship.{{cite web |title=Resultados de las primarias 2016 |url=https://www.metro.pr/pr/noticias/2016/06/05/resultados-primarias-2016.html |website=Metro |date=June 6, 2016 |access-date=10 April 2024}}
U.S. House of Representatives
{{See also|2008 United States House of Representatives election in Puerto Rico}}
On May 18, 2007, Pierluisi announced his candidacy for Resident Commissioner, Puerto Rico's sole delegate to the United States Congress in the November 2008 elections. He accompanied then current Resident Commissioner and gubernatorial candidate Luis Fortuño in the March 9, 2008 NPP primary ticket. He was Puerto Rico's Resident Commissioner in the US Congress from 2009 to 2016.
Pierluisi is a member of the New Progressive Party in Puerto Rico which advocates statehood for the Island territory. While on Capitol Hill, Pierluisi caucused with the House Democratic Caucus.Newlin, Eliza. [http://www.nationaljournal.com/almanac/2010/person/pedro-pierluisi-pr/ Res. Com. Pedro Pierluisi (D-PR, At-Large) – The Almanac of American Politics] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20121216091902/http://www.nationaljournal.com/almanac/2010/person/pedro-pierluisi-pr/ |date=December 16, 2012 }}. Nationaljournal.com. Retrieved on 2012-11-22.
As Resident Commissioner, Pierluisi introduced H.R. 2499, which sought to provide for a plebiscite to be held in Puerto Rico to determine the island's ultimate political status. The bill was passed by the House of Representatives but did not receive a vote in the Senate, and lapsed following the sine die adjournment of the 111th Congress. In a separate bill, H.R. 870, Pierluisi sought to add Puerto Rico to Chapter 9 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code so that the island's government-owned corporations could file for bankruptcy — a privilege they do not enjoy due to the territory's exclusion from the code.
On May 15, 2013, Pierluisi filed H.R. 2000, a bill to admit Puerto Rico as a state.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20130927135632/http://www.puertoricoreport.org/pierluisi-introduces-historic-legislation/ – Puerto Rico Report]}}. PuertoRicoReport.com (2013-05-15). Retrieved on 2013-05-13.
= Committee assignments =
- Committee on the Judiciary (2009-2016)
- Committee on Natural Resources (2009-2016)
- Committee on Education and the Workforce (2009-2010)
- Committee on Ethics (2011-2014)
Rosselló succession
{{See also|Telegramgate}}
Prior to being elected, Pierluisi was de facto governor of Puerto Rico for five days in August 2019. On July 31 of that year, the embattled governor, Ricardo Rosselló, nominated Pierluisi to serve as Secretary of State of Puerto Rico following a political crisis caused by contentious talks, which culminated in a series of protests and the governor's resignation.{{cite web |title=Pedro Pierluisi es juramentado como secretario de Estado |url=https://www.univision.com/local/puerto-rico-wlii/pierluisi-ya-juramento-como-secretario-de-estado |website=Univision |access-date=10 April 2024}} Before his resignation became effective, Ricardo Rosselló confirmed Pierluisi as his successor as governor of Puerto Rico. He invoked Act 7 of July 24, 1952 to justify Pierluisi's swearing in. He noted that this law states that "it shall not be necessary for the Secretary of State to have been confirmed to assume the governorship on a permanent basis. "Pierluisi was sworn in as governor at 5:01 p.m. at a private residence.{{cite web|title=Pedro Pierluisi es el nuevo gobernador de Puerto Rico |url=http://www.telemundochicago.com/noticias/puerto-rico/EN-VIVO--Inicia-vista-publica-en-la-Camara-para-nombramiento-de-Pierluisi-513577381.html |website=Telemundo Chicago |date=August 2, 2019 |access-date=10 April 2024}}
While Pierluisi took office as the acting secretary of state, his position was to be confirmed by the Puerto Rican Senate and the House of Representatives. The following day, members of the Puerto Rican Senate announced that action on his nomination would not occur until August 1. He was sworn into the role as a recess appointment on August 2.
Rosselló then summoned Puerto Rico's Legislative Assembly for them to issue their advice and consent. The House of Representatives approved his nomination 26–21.{{Cite web|url=https://politi.co/2Mx9oei|title=Puerto Rico governor resigns as promised; successor sworn in|agency=Associated Press|website=POLITICO|date=August 2, 2019 }} Following Roselló’s resignation on August 2, Pierluisi declared himself governor, although he had not been confirmed by both the House and the Senate as secretary of state, and Pierluisi affirmed Rosselló's declaration.
On August 5, the Puerto Rico Senate filed a lawsuit against his appointment as governor by contending that unless he obtained the Senate's assent, his governorship was unconstitutional.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/puerto-ricos-senate-files-lawsuit-to-oust-pedro-pierluisi-as-successor-to-governor-ricardo-rossello/|title=Puerto Rico's Senate files lawsuit to oust newly sworn-in governor|website=CBS News|date=August 5, 2019|access-date=6 August 2019|archive-date=December 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214175341/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/puerto-ricos-senate-files-lawsuit-to-oust-pedro-pierluisi-as-successor-to-governor-ricardo-rossello/|url-status=live}} After a petition from the Senate of Puerto Rico on August 7, Pierluisi's accession to the governorship was challenged in the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/02/us/puerto-rico-governor/index.html|title=Pedro Pierluisi was sworn in as Puerto Rico's governor. His opponents are still questioning his legitimacy.|date=August 2, 2019|work=CNN|access-date=August 2, 2019|archive-date=August 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802235454/https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/02/us/puerto-rico-governor/index.html|url-status=live}} The Puerto Rico Supreme Court ruled that the law that enabled his swearing in was unconstitutional and ordered the succession take place per Law 7 of 1952, as opposed to Law 7 of 2005. Thus, he was the shortest-serving official in that position in Puerto Rico's history.
The legality of Pierluisi's inauguration was immediately challenged. Puerto Rican human rights activist, Samy Nemir-Olivares, announced intentions to take the matter to the Puerto Rico Supreme Court through a Twitter post, referring to Pierluisi's swearing-in as a "coup d'état." The Supreme Court was expected to determine the constitutionality of the inauguration. Following a petition from the Senate of Puerto Rico, shortly after assuming office, Pierluisi made his way to La Fortaleza, the governor's official residence, to deliver an official statement.{{cite web|title=Pedro Pierluisi es el nuevo gobernador de Puerto Rico |url=http://www.telemundochicago.com/noticias/puerto-rico/EN-VIVO--Inicia-vista-publica-en-la-Camara-para-nombramiento-de-Pierluisi-513577381.html |website=Telemundo Chicago |date=August 2, 2019 |access-date=10 April 2024}}
2020 elections
{{See also|2020 Puerto Rico gubernatorial election|Government of Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia}}
On August 16, 2020, Pierluisi won the PNP gubernatorial primary race against governor Wanda Vázquez Garced. With 75.6% of voting stations reporting, Pierluisi has won about 57.9% of the votes over Vazquez's 42.1%, clinching the nomination for New Progressive Party.{{Cite web |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/puerto-rico-governor-vazquez-loses-primary-race-to-pierluisi/ar-BB181Adl?li=BBnbcA1 |title=Puerto Rico Governor Vazquez Loses Primary Race to Pierluisi |website=MSN |access-date=August 20, 2020 |archive-date=December 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216030401/https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/puerto-rico-governor-vazquez-loses-primary-race-to-pierluisi/ar-BB181Adl?li=BBnbcA1 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/puerto-rico-gov-wanda-vazquez-loses-primary-pro-statehood-party-n1236901 |title=Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vázquez loses primary of pro-statehood party |website=NBC News |date=August 16, 2020 |access-date=August 20, 2020 |archive-date=August 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820185612/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/puerto-rico-gov-wanda-vazquez-loses-primary-pro-statehood-party-n1236901 |url-status=live }} On November 3, 2020, Pierluisi was elected as the Governor of Puerto Rico. He received approximately 32.9% of all the votes, distributed among 6 candidates that ran for office.{{Cite web|url=https://elecciones2020.ceepur.org/Noche_del_Evento_92/index.html#es/default/GOBERNADOR_Resumen.xml|title=CEE Event|access-date=November 7, 2020|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103191716/https://elecciones2020.ceepur.org/Noche_del_Evento_92/index.html#es/default/GOBERNADOR_Resumen.xml|url-status=live}}
On Saturday, January 2, 2021, Pierluisi took the oath of office. At 8:00 a.m., there was a private ceremony in which he took the oath from the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Maite Oronoz Rodríguez.{{Cite news|last=Rosario|first=Frances|date=2021-01-02|title=Pedro Pierluisi jura como gobernador en el Tribunal Supremo|language=es|trans-title=Pedro Pierluisi Sworn in as Governor in the Supreme Court|work=El Nuevo Día|url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/notas/pedro-pierluisi-jura-como-gobernador-en-el-tribunal-supremo/|url-status=live|access-date=2020-01-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102170306/https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/notas/pedro-pierluisi-jura-como-gobernador-en-el-tribunal-supremo/|archive-date=2021-01-02}} This had been followed by a public ceremony on the northern side of the Capitol of Puerto Rico, where Pierluisi retook the oath of office publicly and gave his inaugural address.{{Cite news|last=Colón Dávila|first=Javier|date=2021-01-02|title=Pedro Pierluisi promete un gobierno diverso y libre de corrupción en su primer mensaje al país|language=es|trans-title=Pedro Pierluisi Promises a Diverse and Free-from-Corruption Government in his First Message to the Nation|work=El Nuevo Día|url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/notas/pedro-pierluisi-llega-al-capitolio-para-tomar-posesion-como-gobernador-de-puerto-rico/|url-status=live|access-date=2020-01-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102164714/https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/notas/pedro-pierluisi-llega-al-capitolio-para-tomar-posesion-como-gobernador-de-puerto-rico/|archive-date=2021-01-02}}
Governor of Puerto Rico
On January 2, 2021, Pierluisi was inaugurated as Governor of Puerto Rico in a ceremony that, despite being well-attended, was held with a lower number of participants compared to previous events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The most notable international attendee at the ceremony was Luis Abinader, the President of the Dominican Republic.{{cite news |title=Luis Abinader llega a Puerto Rico para asistir a toma de posesión de Pierluisi |url=https://www.elcaribe.com.do/actualidad/luis-abinader-llega-a-puerto-rico-para-asistir-a-toma-de-posesion-de-pierluisi/ |access-date=10 April 2024 |publisher=El Caribe |date=Jan 2, 2021}}{{cite news |title=Luis Abinader fue el único presidente en asistir a juramentación del gobernador de Puerto Rico |url=https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/luis-abinader-fue-el-unico-presidente-en-asistir-a-juramentacion-del-gobernador-de-puerto-rico-EA23544264 |access-date=10 April 2024 |publisher=Diario Libre |date=Jan 2, 2021}}
Pedro Pierluisi, similar to previous governors from the New Progressive Party (Spanish: Partido Nuevo Progresista, PNP) advocated for Puerto Rico's statehood during his campaign. Following the 2020 general election, in which a plebiscite was held regarding the island's political status, Pierluisi vetoed a bill from the House that aimed to repeal HB-65-2020 and HB-167-2020.{{cite news |title=Pierluisi veta proyecto que buscaba derogar medidas sobre la estadidad |url=https://www.elvocero.com/gobierno/pierluisi-veta-proyecto-que-buscaba-derogar-medidas-sobre-la-estadidad/article_4d7bb29c-a07d-11eb-8c97-abccb2a76088.html |access-date=10 April 2024 |publisher=El Vocero de Puerto Rico |date=Apr 4, 2021}} These pieces of legislation were designed to facilitate an election for selecting statehood lobbyists, whose role would be to advocate for Puerto Rico's statehood before the U.S. Congress.
On January 24, 2021, in response to the increasing incidents of gender-based violence, the Governor of Puerto Rico declared a state of emergency regarding this issue. This action came in the aftermath of the tragic murder of Andrea Ruiz by her ex-partner, an event that the Governor cited as a clear failure of the system to protect victims of domestic violence. Consequently, he directed the Secretary of Justice to ensure, whether through legislative or regulatory means, that a public prosecutor is always present in cases of domestic violence, aiming to strengthen the legal response to such incidents.{{cite news |title=Pedro Pierluisi tras el asesinato de Andrea Ruiz Costas: "Nuestro sistema le falló" |url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/gobierno/notas/pedro-pierluisi-tras-el-asesinato-de-andrea-ruiz-costas-nuestro-sistema-le-fallo/ |access-date=11 April 2024 |publisher=El Nuevo Dia |date=May 3, 2021}}
On March 15, the Governor announced that the State of Emergency regarding maritime transportation to the islands of Vieques and Culebra would need to continue until 2022, coinciding with the conclusion of the privatization process for the ferry service.{{cite news |title=Estado de emergencia por transportación a Vieques y Culebra podría prolongarse hasta 2022 |url=https://www.metro.pr/pr/noticias/2021/03/15/estado-de-emergencia-por-transportacion-a-vieques-y-culebra-podria-prolongarse-hasta-2022.html |access-date=11 April 2024 |publisher=Metro}} This statement came in the wake of protests concerning the ferry service, which escalated into confrontations between the protesters and law enforcement agents. In response to these events, the Governor expressed his support for the actions taken by the United Rapid Action Forces (FURA), a specialized unit of the Puerto Rico Police Department.{{cite news |title=Pierluisi respalda acciones de la Policía durante manifestación en muelle de Culebra |url=https://www.metro.pr/pr/noticias/2021/03/29/pierluisi-respalda-acciones-la-policia-manifestacion-muelle-culebra.html?outputType=amp |access-date=11 April 2024 |publisher=Metro}}
During the tenure of the Governor, a notable conflict arose between the executive branch and the legislature over the nomination of Elba Aponte for the position of Secretary of Education. Following a hearing, the House of Representatives declined to approve Aponte's nomination. Consequently, on April 17, the Governor retracted the nomination of Elba Aponte for this key cabinet position.{{cite news |title=Gobernador retira nombramiento de Elba Aponte |url=https://www.elvocero.com/gobierno/gobernador-retira-nombramiento-de-elba-aponte/article_ac5d06e6-9fae-11eb-8625-87c2bdc35786.html |access-date=11 April 2024 |publisher=El Vocero de Puerto Rico |date=Apr 17, 2021}}{{cite news |title=Cámara de Representantes recomienda no aprobar nombramiento de Elba Aponte a Educación |url=https://www.univision.com/local/puerto-rico-wlii/nombramientos-camara-de-representantes-educacion-y-salud |access-date=11 April 2024 |publisher=Univision Puerto Rico |date=Feb 16, 2021}}
In response to demands from various sectors to terminate the government's agreement with LUMA Energy, the Governor expressed criticism of these appeals. He asserted that the contract with LUMA Energy would not lead to higher electricity costs for consumers and argued that privatizing the power grid represents the best interest for the island's future.{{cite news |title=Pierluisi: "Los que se quejan del contrato de LUMA parece que no se lo han leido |url=https://www.metro.pr/pr/noticias/2021/03/16/pierluisi-los-que-se-quejan-del-contrato-de-luma-parece-que-no-se-lo-han-leido.html#google_vignette |access-date=11 April 2024 |publisher=Metro |date=Mar 16, 2021}}
In February 2023, Pedro Pierluisi pleaded before the Senate in Washington D.C. for the United States of America to approve the bill which provides for an electoral consultation in Puerto Rico between the options of American statehood, independence or of independence in free association with the United States of America.{{cite web |url=https://eldiariony.com/2023/02/09/gobernador-de-puerto-rico-insiste-en-plebiscito-no-territorial-para-la-isla-en-audiencia-ante-comite-del-senado-de-ee-uu/amp/ |title=Gobernador de Puerto Rico insiste en plebiscito no territorial para la isla en audiencia ante comité del Senado de EE.UU. |trans-title=Gobernador de Puerto Rico insiste en plebiscito no territorial para la isla en audiencia ante comité del Senado de EE.UU. |language=es |work=El Diario La Prensa}}
On October 1, 2023, Pedro Pierluisi announced his intention to run for a second term as Governor of Puerto Rico during an event held at the Puerto Rico Convention Center. This announcement was made in the presence of prominent leaders from the New Progressive Party (NPP), including former Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz and San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero. Pierluisi is set to compete in the primary elections against Jenniffer González, the current Resident Commissioner and his former running mate in the 2020 elections.{{cite news |title=Pedro Pierluisi oficializa su candidatura rodeado por parte de la plana mayor del PNP |url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/politica/notas/pedro-pierluisi-oficializa-su-candidatura-rodeado-por-parte-de-la-plana-mayor-del-pnp/ |access-date=11 April 2024 |publisher=El Nuevo Dia |date=Oct 1, 2023}}
In June 2024, Pedro Pierluisi obtained a hearing in the Senate of the United States of America, concerning draft statute 3231, from Democrat Martin Heinrich. This measure is the Senate version of House Bill 2757 and provides for a binding plebiscite authorized by the U.S. Congress that allows residents of Puerto Rico to choose between U.S. statehood and full independence. and sovereignty in free association with the United States of America.{{cite news |author1=Hola News |title=Puerto Rico logra audiencia en el Senado federal para tratar proyecto de estatus político|url=https://holanews.com/puerto-rico-logra-audiencia-en-el-senado-federal-para-tratar-proyecto-de-estatus-politico/ |agency=Hola News|publisher=Hola News |date=May 31, 2024}}
2024 elections
{{See also|2024 Puerto Rico gubernatorial election}}
On March 20, 2022, during the New Progressive Party's general assembly, governor Pedro Pierluisi announced that he would run for a second term.{{fact|date=April 2024}} In an interview on August 28, he reaffirmed the press that he would be in fact running again, stating that "Puerto Rico is moving forward and there is no one who can stop us" and that they were "going to beat the PDP".{{Cite web |author=Yaritza Rivera Clemente |title=Pedro Pierluisi reafirma que buscará la reelección: "Le vamos a dar una pela al PPD" |url=https://www.elvocero.com/gobierno/politica/pedro-pierluisi-reafirma-que-buscar-la-reelecci-n-le-vamos-a-dar-una-pela-al/article_1fd8a108-2171-11ed-abe9-cb3d71167161.html |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=El Vocero de Puerto Rico |date=August 21, 2022 |language=es |trans-title=Pedro Pierluisi reaffirms that he will seek re-election: "We are going to give the PPD a fight"}}
= 2024 primary election loss =
After governate
In June 2025, Pedro Pierluisi participated in a public event for the first time as a practicing attorney at the 2025 Annual Convention of the Puerto Rico Bar Association.{{cite web |url=https://www.notiuno.com/noticias/gobierno-y-politica/pierluisi-regresa-en-convenci-n-de-la-asociaci-n-de-abogados/article_38715356-b4c1-11e9-a793-a76a46c97893.html
|title=Pierluisi regresa en convention de la asociacion de abogados |work=Noti Uno |date=10 May 2025|access-date=10 May 2025}}
Personal life
Governor Pierluisi is the father of four adult children: Antonio, Miguel, Rafael, and Jacqueline. He is the grandfather of five grandchildren.
His first marriage was to María Eugenia Rojo, with whom he shares his four children. They married on June 20, 1981 but divorced in the late 1990s. Pierluisi married again in 2007 to businesswoman María Elena Carrión. However, the couple divorced in 2019, after twelve years of marriage. He is currently married to attorney Fabiola Ansótegui.{{cite web|url=https://www.primerahora.com/noticias/gobierno-politica/notas/enamorado-el-gobernador-pedro-pierluisi/|title=Enamorado el gobernador Pedro Pierluisi|publisher=Primera Hora|date=December 22, 2022|author=Rosario, Frances|access-date=June 13, 2023|archive-date=June 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613190135/https://www.primerahora.com/noticias/gobierno-politica/notas/enamorado-el-gobernador-pedro-pierluisi/|url-status=live}} The couple announced their engagement in 2023 and were married in a private ceremony on December 8, 2024.{{cite news |title=Pedro Pierluisi revela detalles de su boda: "Esperemos que sea en algún momento el próximo año" |url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/notas/pedro-pierluisi-revela-detalles-de-su-boda-esperemos-que-sea-en-algun-momento-el-proximo-ano/#:~:text=lunes%2C%2018%20de%20diciembre%20de%202023%20%2D%2010%3A33%20a.m.&text=Barranquitas%20%2D%20Evidentemente%20contento%2C%20el%20gobernador,nueva%20a%20su%20familia%20cercana. |access-date=11 April 2024 |publisher=El Nueva Dia |date=Dec 18, 2023}}
Pierluisi's father, Jorge Pierluisi, served as Secretary of Puerto Rico's Housing Department under Gov. Carlos Romero Barceló from 1977 to 1985. His brother, José Jaime Pierluisi, an economic adviser to then governor Pedro Rossello, was shot and killed during a carjacking in 1994. His sister Caridad Pierluisi has served as an advisor to him during his tenure as governor.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/11/obituaries/jose-jaime-pierluisi-28-an-aide-to-puerto-rico-governor-dies.html|title=Jose Jaime Pierluisi, 28, an Aide To Puerto Rico Governor, Dies|date=June 11, 1994|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=August 2, 2019|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709231023/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/11/obituaries/jose-jaime-pierluisi-28-an-aide-to-puerto-rico-governor-dies.html|url-status=live}}
Honors
- {{flag|Spain}}: Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic{{Cite web|url = https://www.primerahora.com/noticias/mundo/notas/espana-condecora-a-pedro-pierluisi-y-miguel-romero-ante-visita-del-rey-felipe-vi/|title = España condecora a Pedro Pierluisi y Miguel Romero ante visita del rey Felipe VI|date = 21 January 2022|access-date = January 23, 2022|archive-date = January 23, 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220123010552/https://www.primerahora.com/noticias/mundo/notas/espana-condecora-a-pedro-pierluisi-y-miguel-romero-ante-visita-del-rey-felipe-vi/|url-status = live}}
See also
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
- {{C-SPAN|1031305}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20090114072326/http://pierluisi.house.gov/ Congressman Pedro Pierluisi] official U.S. House website
- [http://www.pierluisi2008.com/ Pedro Pierluisi for Congress] (Spanish) official campaign website
- {{CongLinks |congbio=P000596 |votesmart=110894 |fec=H8PR00062 |congress= }}
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{{Puerto Rico Governors}}
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