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Statehood Is Central Issue in Puerto Rico
25 minutes ago World - AP Latin America
By IAN JAMES, Associated Press Writer
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Former Gov. Pedro Rossello sought to regain Puerto Rico's top office Tuesday with promises to fight to make the island the 51st U.S. state, but faced a tight race against a Washington veteran.
AP Photo
With 55 percent of ballots counted, elections officials reported Rossello had a narrow lead with 48.7 percent to 47.9 percent for Anibal Acevedo Vila, the territory's nonvoting delegate to the U.S. Congress, from the Popular Democratic Party.
Four years after stepping down as governor, Rossello pledged he would lead a clean government and hold another vote on statehood — an option narrowly defeated in nonbinding referendums in 1993 and 1998.
Puerto Ricans took to the streets in honking caravans, hanging out windows with party flags. Some made it a day to party since most businesses closed.
Rossello, governor from 1993 to 2000, said he expected Puerto Ricans to "speak decisively" for him.
Acevedo Vila, who favors the island's U.S. commonwealth status and whose campaign cited past corruption in Rossello's administration, said as he voted that it was for "progress and dignity."
Those prosecuted under Rossello include ex-Education Secretary Victor Fajardo, who was convicted of fraud, and aide Maria de los Angeles Rivera, charged with bribery.
Rossello has denied wrongdoing and accused Gov. Sila Calderon's pro-commonwealth government of persecuting his New Progressive Party. Calderon didn't seek another term.
Puerto Rico's 4 million residents are U.S. citizens but cannot vote for U.S. president.
Some 2.4 million were registered to vote for governor, the island's nonvoting delegate to Congress, local legislature members and municipal posts.
Puerto Ricans also were choosing a delegate to Congress, 51 island senators and 27 House members, 78 mayors plus municipal officials.
In the U.S. Virgin Islands with about half the ballots counted, Democratic incumbent delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen led with 66 percent, elections officials said.
25 minutes ago World - AP Latin America
By IAN JAMES, Associated Press Writer
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Former Gov. Pedro Rossello sought to regain Puerto Rico's top office Tuesday with promises to fight to make the island the 51st U.S. state, but faced a tight race against a Washington veteran.
AP Photo
With 55 percent of ballots counted, elections officials reported Rossello had a narrow lead with 48.7 percent to 47.9 percent for Anibal Acevedo Vila, the territory's nonvoting delegate to the U.S. Congress, from the Popular Democratic Party.
Four years after stepping down as governor, Rossello pledged he would lead a clean government and hold another vote on statehood — an option narrowly defeated in nonbinding referendums in 1993 and 1998.
Puerto Ricans took to the streets in honking caravans, hanging out windows with party flags. Some made it a day to party since most businesses closed.
Rossello, governor from 1993 to 2000, said he expected Puerto Ricans to "speak decisively" for him.
Acevedo Vila, who favors the island's U.S. commonwealth status and whose campaign cited past corruption in Rossello's administration, said as he voted that it was for "progress and dignity."
Those prosecuted under Rossello include ex-Education Secretary Victor Fajardo, who was convicted of fraud, and aide Maria de los Angeles Rivera, charged with bribery.
Rossello has denied wrongdoing and accused Gov. Sila Calderon's pro-commonwealth government of persecuting his New Progressive Party. Calderon didn't seek another term.
Puerto Rico's 4 million residents are U.S. citizens but cannot vote for U.S. president.
Some 2.4 million were registered to vote for governor, the island's nonvoting delegate to Congress, local legislature members and municipal posts.
Puerto Ricans also were choosing a delegate to Congress, 51 island senators and 27 House members, 78 mayors plus municipal officials.
In the U.S. Virgin Islands with about half the ballots counted, Democratic incumbent delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen led with 66 percent, elections officials said.
