Popular Democratic Party primaries, 2012
March 18, 2012
Previous PPD Governor candidate

Alejandro García Padilla

 PPD Governor candidate-elect

Alejandro García Padilla

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.

Background

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

Mayors

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

Results

Senate

At-large

Candidate Popular vote Percentage
Eduardo Bhatia 243,608 17.12%
Aníbal José Torres 228,911 16.08
Rossana López León 225,145 15.82
Angel Rosa 220,652 15.50
Cirilo Tirado 211,726 14.88
Antonio Fas Alzamora 155,715 10.94
Luis Ricardo Santini 133,994 9.41
Others 3,482 0.24

District

House of Representatives

At-large

Candidate Popular vote Percentage
Carmen Yulín Cruz 219,212 15.13%
Luis Vega Ramos 219,040 15.12
Jaime Perelló 214,796 14.82
Brenda López 169,686 11.71
Charlie Hernández 167,203 11.54
Jorge Colberg Toro 160,187 11.05
Eduardo Ferrer 146,657 10.12
Roberto Vigoreaux 82,027 5.66
Yaramary Torres 64,377 4.44
Others 5,925 0.41

District

See also

References

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