March 18, 2012 Puerto Rico Primary
Comisión Estatal de Elecciones (CEE)

Republican
1,381 of 1,656 reporting (83.39%)

GINGRICH
 		KARGER
 PAUL ROEMER
 ROMNEY
 		SANTORUM
 		OTHERS
 TOTAL

2,442
2.04%
 1,711
1.43%
 1,465
1.23%
 2,638
2.21%
 99,009
82.90%
 9,561
8.01%
 2,602
2.18%
 119,428

Analysis: Statehood is a major issue in Puerto Rico, and a referendum is scheduled for November 6.  Rick Santorum got into hot water when he stated in an interview with El Vocero that for Puerto Rico to become a state "English should be the main language" (+).  Santorum's decision to spend a couple of days campaigning here looks like a mistake given his paltry showing.  Romney subsequently cited his strong showing as evidence of his ability to appeal to Latino voters, but others were skeptical (+).
PRESS RELEASE from Romney for President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Romney Press Office

March 18, 2012



MITT ROMNEY: PUERTO RICANS WANT A PRESIDENT WITH JOB CREATION EXPERIENCE
 
Boston, MA – Mitt Romney made the following statement on the results of the Puerto Rico primary:
 
“Ann and I are deeply grateful to Governor Fortuño, his wife Lucé Vela, and the good people of Puerto Rico for their support and help in winning the Republican primary. With a population larger than 22 states, this island contributes in so many ways to the vitality of our country. Under Governor Fortuño, Puerto Rico has made great strides in addressing longstanding problems afflicting its economy. Working to advance the fortunes of this island, and to better the lives of everyone living here, will be an important goal of my presidency. We won't get the economy going again by replacing one president with no job creation experience with another with no job creation experience. I’ve spent my life turning around failing enterprises. I have a plan to get government out of the way so we can create jobs and put people back to work. And that plan begins by earning every vote I can in order to send Barack Obama on his way.”
 
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PRESS RELEASE from Rick Santorum for President

March 18, 2012
For Immediate Release 
Contact: Matt Beynon
SANTORUM CAMPAIGN CONGRATULATES ROMNEY ON PUERTO RICO VICTORY
Santorum Though, Refuses To  Compromise Beliefs For Delegates

Verona, PA - The Rick Santorum for President Campaign congratulates the Romney Campaign on their victory this evening in the Puerto Rico primary.  However, their decision to put political expedience and political deception ahead of previously held policy positions further erodes their candidate's credibility and trust. 
 
Hogan Gidley, National Communications Director, said: "Rick Santorum has a consistent core - and he showed that when he went to Puerto Rico and took a locally unpopular but principled stance about English being the official language of America. Mitt Romney on the other hand, switched another one of his positions to gain favor in Puerto Rico, by saying that Puerto Ricans shouldn't have to learn English if they want to become a state.
 
We all know Mitt Romney will do and say anything to get votes, and this is just another example of that. I think the 90% of Americans who believe English should be the official language of this country must be wondering why Mitt Romney disagrees with that.  Mitt Romney says he supports English as the official language of America while on the mainland, but then says Puerto Ricans don't have to learn English while he's on Puerto Rico.
 
Our nation needs a leader like Rick Santorum who will make the tough choices and level with the American people even when it is not easy."
 
Romney in Puerto Rico: a case study in political pandering
By Robert G. de Posada The Daily Caller

http://dailycaller.com/2012/03/16/romney-in-puerto-rico-a-case-study-in-political-pandering/

PRESS RELEASE from DNC
For Immediate Release
March 18, 2012

Contact: DNC Press
Statement from DNC Communications Director Brad Woodhouse on Republican Primary Results in Puerto Rico

 

Washington, DC—DNC Communications Director Brad Woodhouse released the following statement tonight on the Republican primary results in Puerto Rico:

"Tonight’s primary results can’t hide what we already know—that should Mitt Romney be lucky enough to make it to the general election, he would have major challenges making the case to Puerto Rican voters and other Latinos in November. Puerto Ricans, much like the broader American and Latino population, are looking for continued economic growth and for everyone from Wall Street to Main Street to play by the same set of rules. But Mitt Romney has a dismal economic record, has no core values, and he'll do or say anything to win.

"From his continued attacks on Justice Sonia Sotomayor, to proposing that struggling families are on their own until foreclosures 'hit the bottom,' to vouching for the same failed economic policies that created this economic mess, voters are not buying what Mitt Romney is trying to sell. And Latinos understand that Romney is beyond the point of no return on immigration: He would be the most extreme presidential nominee in history. As the Republican primary drags on, it's clear that Romney has done irreparable damage to his chances with Latinos, while President Obama will continue to lead on issues of importance to the community."

 

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Comisión Estatal de Elecciones

 

¿Qué debo hacer para votar en las Primarias 2012?

Elector, para votar en las Primarias de los Partidos Políticos PNP o PPD del 18 de marzo, deberás estar activo en el Registro Electoral al 30 de enero de 2012 y presentar tu Tarjeta de Identificación Electoral (TIE) al momento de emitir tu voto.
 
Si no encuentras tu Tarjeta de Identificación Electoral y estás activo para votar en las Primarias del 18 de marzo, acude de inmediato a la Junta de Inscripción Permanente del precinto donde estás domiciliado a sacarla.  Es un requisito de Ley presentar tu tarjeta electoral en tu Colegio de Votación al momento de emitir tu voto.
 
En las Primarias del PNP o PPD votan solamente los electores afiliados a estos partidos. De lo contrario, deben firmar la solicitud de afiliación al partido que deseen.
 
Los Colegios de votación abren de 8:00 a.m. a 4:00 p.m. Acude a votar temprano.
 
Recuerda que todas las Tarjetas de Identificación Electoral son válidas no importa la fecha de expiración.
 
VOTA EN LAS PRIMARIAS DOMINGO, 18 DE MARZO
Campaigning in Puerto Rico
schedules

Romney
Friday, March 16, 2012
Event:                        Mitt Romney Arrives in Puerto Rico
When:                        2:30 PM AST
Location:                   Signature Aviation
                                  Isla Grande Airport
                                  San Juan, Puerto Rico

Event:                        Mitt Romney Attends PNP Get-Out-the-Vote Rally
When:                        7:00 PM AST
Location:                   Puerto Rico State Capitol
                                  Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

Event:                        Ann Romney, Governor Fortuño, and First Lady Lucé Vela Meet with Senior Citizens/Guaynabo Public Event
When:                        10:15 AM AST
Location:                   Roberto Rexach Benitez Basketball Court
                                  Roberto Rexach Benitez St.
                                  Guaynabo, Puerto Rico

Saturday, March 17, 2012
Event:                        Mitt Romney Visits with Voters in Bayamon
When:                        11:00 AM AST
Location:                   Market Plaza
                                  State Road #2 and Road 167
                                  Bayamon, Puerto Rico

Santorum
campaign did not issue schedule. 
Santorum arrived on Wednesday, March 14.  During his two day visit, he met with Gov. Fortuño, had low-key town halls with veterans and business leaders and attended a prayer session at El Sendero De La Cruz evangelical church in San Juan.


Gingrich
Kathy Lubbers, daughter of Newt Gingrich, to campaign on behalf of the Speaker in Puerto Rico

          Thursday, March 15th

Meeting with Veteran Leaders
12:30pm

Press Conference
2:30pm
Marriott Condado en San Juan

Meeting with the Governor
4:30pm
 

Friday, March 16th

WAPA Radio Live Interview
8:00am

Puerto Rico Daily Sun Newspaper Interview
9:00am

El Nuevo Dia Newspaper Interview
1:00pm

Visit to Escuela Modelo - A bilingual public school
2:00pm

Television News Interviews
3:00pm - 5:00pm


Karger

March 19, 2012

Karger Beats Ron Paul in Puerto Rico Primary!

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – With 82% of the precincts reporting, it appears that Fred Karger beat Congressman Ron Paul by 250 votes in yesterday’s Puerto Rican primary.  This is the first time that Karger has bested one of his four top-tier rivals in the three primaries that he has competed in.

[results graphic]
 


Karger had this to say in reaction to yesterday’s upset showing, “We spent the past 6 days campaigning hard in Puerto Rico and it worked.  Ron Paul has been in all 20 debates, raised $35 million, and has 80% name identification and it looks like we beat him with our message of jobs now, moderation and inclusion.”

“We met with Republican leaders, students, the LGBT Community and lots of voters over the last six days and we ran our Spanish-language commercial, “Hola Puerto Rico” on television leading up to Sunday’s primary.  On Saturday we even went all over San Juan in a traditional campaign Sound Truck with a group of volunteers.  We met lots of voters and gave away lots of Fred Frisbees.”  

“This week we hit the ground running.  Today, it’s back home to California (June 5th Primary), Las Vegas (Republican Jewish Coalition Meeting), New York (Media Interviews) and Maryland (April 3rd Primary).  We definitely have some Big Mo = Momentum, going into the remaining state primaries.”