On Monday, Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vázquez announced that she will be putting her hat in the ring for a full term next year.
“The people are tired of traditional politicians. I come from the bottom, for 32 years as a prosecutor, as a women’s advocate and as secretary of justice,” Vázquez said, as reported by NBC News.
Vázquez assumed office on August 7, 2019, after historic protests on the Caribbean archipelago ousted then-Gov. Ricardo Rosselló and Puerto Rico’s Supreme Court ruled that the assumption of his office by former Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi was unconstitutional.
At the time, Vázquez, who was then the secretary of justice, expressed disinterest in the top position, writing, “I have no interest in occupying the position of Governor” on Twitter.
Since assuming office, the people of Puerto Rico have shared similar sentiments, with “Wanda Renuncia” plastered on protest signs and viral hashtags.
The governor, who touts herself as being pro-women, has faced some of her harshest criticism by feminist groups and activists, who have been demanding the leader to no avail to declare a state of emergency over gender violence.
For many, Vázquez, a member of Rosselló’s embattled administration as well as the pro-statehood New Progressive Party, is an extension of corrupt politics.
When she took over La Fortaleza, the governor’s mansion, this year, she became the second female governor in Puerto Rico history after Sila María Calderón, who was in office from 2001 to 2005.
In the 2020 election, she will face a primary contest with Pierluisi. Additionally, San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz, of the pro-commonwealth Popular Democratic Party, and Alexandra Lúgaro, of the Victoria Citizen Movement insignia, are recognized women politicians vying for Puerto Rico governorship.