Wanda Vázquez Garced facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wanda Vázquez
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Vázquez in 2019
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| Governor of Puerto Rico | |
| In office August 7, 2019 – January 2, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Ricardo Rosselló Pedro Pierluisi (de facto) |
| Succeeded by | Pedro Pierluisi |
| 19th Secretary of Justice of Puerto Rico | |
| In office January 2, 2017 – August 7, 2019 |
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| Governor | Ricardo Rosselló Pedro Pierluisi (de facto) |
| Preceded by | César Miranda |
| Succeeded by | Dennise Longo Quiñones |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Wanda Vázquez Garced
July 9, 1960 San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Political party | New Progressive |
| Other political affiliations |
Democratic (before 2019) Republican (2019–present) |
| Spouse | Jorge Díaz Reverón |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras (BA) Interamerican University of Puerto Rico School of Law (JD) |
Wanda Emilia Vázquez Garced (born July 9, 1960) is a Puerto Rican politician and lawyer. She served as the 188th Governor of Puerto Rico from 2019 to 2021. Before becoming governor, she was the 19th Secretary of Justice from 2017 to 2019.
Wanda Vázquez is a member of the New Progressive Party. She is the second woman to serve as governor in Puerto Rico's history. The first was Sila María Calderón. Vázquez became governor after Ricardo Rosselló resigned. She took office after a court decision about who should be governor next.
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Early Life and Education
Wanda Vázquez was born in Santurce, San Juan. She grew up in Guaynabo. Her parents worked in a factory. Her father was a security guard.
From a young age, Wanda was interested in law. She watched TV shows about legal cases with her father. This helped her decide to become a lawyer. She went to the University of Puerto Rico for her first degree. Then, she earned her law degree (Juris Doctor) from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico School of Law.
Career Journey
In the 1980s, Wanda Vázquez worked for the Puerto Rico Department of Housing. After that, she became a district attorney for the Puerto Rico Department of Justice. She worked in this role for 20 years.
Vázquez focused on cases involving domestic and gender violence. She also worked in the Criminal Division in Bayamón. In 2010, she was chosen to lead the Office for Women's Rights on the island.
On November 30, 2016, Ricardo Rosselló, who was about to become governor, chose her for the job of Secretary of Justice of Puerto Rico. She was approved and started her new role on January 18, 2017.
Becoming Governor of Puerto Rico
Wanda Vázquez was expected to become Governor of Puerto Rico when Ricardo Rosselló resigned on August 2, 2019. Some people did not want her to become governor. They asked her to resign. Protests happened, with people chanting "We Are More" and using the hashtag #WandaRenuncia (Wanda Resign) online. Vázquez said she would only take the position if the law required it.
On July 31, Rosselló announced he was appointing Pedro Pierluisi as the new Secretary of State of Puerto Rico. The Secretary of State is usually next in line to be governor after the governor. However, the Puerto Rican Senate did not approve Pierluisi in time. So, when Rosselló resigned, Pierluisi became governor for a short time, but his position was questioned.
On August 7, 2019, the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico decided that Pierluisi's swearing-in was not constitutional. They removed him from office. At that moment, Wanda Vázquez became the second woman governor of Puerto Rico.
As governor, Vázquez said she wanted to get back money meant for Hurricane Maria relief. She also wanted to check all government contracts to make sure they were managed correctly. She aimed to work with President Donald Trump to help Puerto Rico. She stated that all contracts signed by the previous governor would be reviewed.
After the 2019–20 Puerto Rico earthquakes, people found unused aid from Hurricane Maria in a warehouse. As a result, Governor Vázquez removed her emergency management director. On March 12, 2020, Vázquez declared a state of emergency for Puerto Rico. She activated the Puerto Rican National Guard because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Puerto Rico.
On October 6, 2020, Governor Vázquez supported Donald Trump for the 2020 United States presidential election.
2020 Primary Election
On August 16, 2020, Wanda Vázquez ran in the primary election for governor but lost to Pedro Pierluisi. Pierluisi won about 57.9% of the votes, while Vázquez received 42.1%. Vázquez accepted the results and respected the voters' choice.
Personal Life
Wanda Vázquez is married to Jorge Díaz Reverón. He is a judge in Caguas, Puerto Rico. They have two daughters named Stephanie and Beatriz Díaz Vázquez.
See also
- List of female governors in the United States
- List of party switchers in the United States
- Telegramgate
