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In a surprising turn of events, Jenniffer González, a Trump-supporting candidate from Puerto Rico’s pro-statehood party, is leading the race for governor. With 91% of precincts reporting, González holds a 39% share of the vote in a four-way contest, maintaining a six-point lead over her closest rival.

This development comes as a shock, especially considering the recent media attention over a controversial comment about Puerto Rico made at a Trump rally. Despite attempts by the Democratic Party to capitalize on this incident, it appears to have had little impact on González’s campaign.

González, who has served as resident commissioner since 2016, is a lifelong Republican and Trump supporter. She expressed her commitment to working with the former president, stating, “Puerto Rico cannot afford to be immersed in a dispute with the person who signs the checks and makes decisions over our territory.”

The election results also reveal a broader trend of increased support for Trump among Hispanic voters. Exit polls indicate that Latino men backed Trump by a significant margin, a notable change from the 2020 election results.

This shift in voter preferences occurred despite concerted efforts by the Democratic Party to sway Puerto Rican and Hispanic voters. High-profile celebrities like Bad Bunny and Jennifer Lopez were enlisted to campaign against Trump in the final days leading up to the election.

The outcome in Puerto Rico adds an intriguing dimension to the ongoing debate about the territory’s potential statehood. While González supports statehood, critics argue that Puerto Rico’s history of fiscal and governmental challenges makes it premature to consider such a move.

As the votes continue to be tallied, it appears that the Democrats’ attempts to leverage the controversy surrounding Trump’s rally have not produced the desired effect. Instead of diminishing Trump’s support among Hispanic voters, the election results suggest that his appeal has only grown stronger in this key demographic.