Puerto Rican pro-Statehood candidate Pedro Pierluisi leads governor’s race.

San Juan, November 4 (RHC)-- In Puerto Rico’s gubernatorial race, Pedro Pierluisi has a thin lead over Carlos Delgado; the candidates are separated by less than 10,000 votes.  Pierluisi is a member of the New Progressive Party who supports statehood for Puerto Rico.  Delgado of the Popular Party wants to keep Puerto Rico’s status as a U.S. colony. Pierluisi briefly served as governor in 2019 after former Governor Ricardo Rosselló was forced to resign amid mass protests.

Puerto Ricans also took to the polls to decide on a referendum that would determine if the island could be granted statehood.  The New York Times reports support for the non-binding referendum led with about 52% of the votes.  However, Congress would have to approve of any changes to Puerto Rico’s political status.