2012 Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico primaries

The 2012 Popular Democratic Party primaries were the primary elections by which voters of the Popular Democratic Party (PPD) chose its nominees for various political offices of Puerto Rico for the 2012 general elections. They were held on March 18, 2012 and coincided with the Republican Party primaries in the island.

Popular Democratic Party primaries, 2012

← 2008March 18, 20122016 →

Previous PPD Governor candidate

Alejandro García Padilla

PPD Governor candidate-elect

Alejandro García Padilla

Background edit

At the time of the primaries, the Popular Democratic Party had already chosen current Senator Alejandro García Padilla, as their gubernatorial candidate. He would be joined in the ballot by Rafael Cox Alomar as candidate for Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico.

In the Senate, there were 5 sitting senators looking to retain their election spots. In the House, there were around 5 sitting representatives as well. Also, some returning candidates from previous years, like Roberto Vigoreaux, and other former officeholders, like Miguel Pereira and Aníbal José Torres, were entering the political race. Some relatives of known politicians also made the jump to politics. Eduardo Ferrer, brother of Héctor Ferrer, was aspiring for a Senate spot, while Javier Aponte Dalmau, brother of current mayor of Carolina, José Aponte Dalmau, both sons of former mayor José Aponte de la Torre, was running for a spot as representative for District 38.

Francisco Zayas Seijo, who was mayor of Ponce, was also attempting a return to politics after his defeat in 2008. He was running for the mayoral candidacy again, this time against Ramón Torres. The only sitting mayor from the PPD that was challenged in a primary was Edgardo Arlequín, from Guayanilla.

Also, the amount of primaries per municipality and districts were few, when compared to previous years. As a result, the primaries were expected to be of low participation among the party members.

Candidates edit

Mayors edit

The Popular Democratic Party held primaries in 20 of 78 municipalities.

Results edit

Senate edit

At-large edit

CandidatePopular votePercentage
Eduardo Bhatia243,60817.12%
Aníbal José Torres228,91116.08
Rossana López León225,14515.82
Angel Rosa220,65215.50
Cirilo Tirado211,72614.88
Antonio Fas Alzamora155,71510.94
Luis Ricardo Santini133,9949.41
Others3,4820.24

District edit

House of Representatives edit

At-large edit

CandidatePopular votePercentage
Carmen Yulín Cruz219,21215.13%
Luis Vega Ramos219,04015.12
Jaime Perelló214,79614.82
Brenda López169,68611.71
Charlie Hernández167,20311.54
Jorge Colberg Toro160,18711.05
Eduardo Ferrer146,65710.12
Roberto Vigoreaux82,0275.66
Yaramary Torres64,3774.44
Others5,9250.41

District edit

See also edit

References edit

External links edit