Puerto Rico legislator ends re-election bid under pressure
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal corruption trial in Puerto Rico has dealt another blow to the U.S. territory’s ruling party.
Sen. Mari Tere Gonzalez of the governing Popular Democratic Party announced Wednesday under pressure from fellow party members that she will not seek re-election.
The announcement came just hours after she testified at the trial of former fundraiser Anaudi Hernandez. He is accused of overseeing a government corruption scheme in which contracts were allegedly awarded as political favours.
Gonzalez was elected in 2012 to represent the western municipality of Mayaguez. She says she will retain her position until the November elections.
Last week, the speaker of Puerto Rico’s House of Representatives stepped down after court testimony linked him to the former fundraiser. Jaime Perello had been elected speaker in 2012.
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