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A History of Its Resident Commissioners

The office of resident commissioner was established under the Foraker Act of 1900, with the first commissioner taking office in 1901. Elected by Puerto Rico's voters, the resident commissioner represents the island in the U.S. House of Representatives for a four-year term. Commissioners can introduce legislation and serve on congressional committees, but cannot vote on final passage of legislation on the House floor.

Resident CommissionerYears in OfficeHistorical Significance
Pablo José Hernández Rivera2025–PresentCurrent resident commissioner; previously served as a federal attorney and advocates for Puerto Rico's interests in Congress.
Jenniffer González-Colón2017–2025First woman to serve as resident commissioner; later became governor of Puerto Rico in 2025.
Pedro Pierluisi2009–2017Advocated for federal funding and statehood; later served as governor of Puerto Rico.
Luis Fortuño2005–2009Advocated for Puerto Rico's economic development and statehood; subsequently elected governor.
Aníbal Acevedo Vilá2001–2005Represented Puerto Rico in Congress before being elected governor in 2004.
Carlos Romero Barceló1993–2001Former governor who promoted statehood during two terms as resident commissioner.
Antonio Colorado1992–1993Completed Jaime Fuster's unexpired term after Fuster resigned to join Puerto Rico's Supreme Court.
Jaime Fuster1985–1992Served in Congress before becoming an associate justice of Puerto Rico's Supreme Court.
Baltasar Corrada del Río1977–1985Advocated for statehood; later served as mayor of San Juan and a Puerto Rico Supreme Court justice.
Jaime Benítez Rexach1973–1977Former University of Puerto Rico president known for expanding higher education on the island.
Jorge Luis Córdova1969–1973Represented Puerto Rico during debates over its political status; son of former commissioner Félix Córdova Dávila.
Santiago Polanco Abreu1965–1969Represented Puerto Rico in Congress after serving in the island's legislature.
Antonio Fernós-Isern1946–1965Key figure in the development of Puerto Rico's 1952 Constitution and Commonwealth government.
Vacant1946The position was temporarily unoccupied following Jesús T. Piñero's departure.
Jesús T. Piñero1945–1946Left Congress to become the first Puerto Rican appointed governor under U.S. administration.
Bolívar Pagán1939–1945Labor-oriented political leader who succeeded Santiago Iglesias following his death.
Vacant1939The office was vacant briefly after the death of Santiago Iglesias.
Santiago Iglesias Pantín1933–1939Prominent labor organizer and founder of the Puerto Rican Socialist Party; advocated for workers' rights.
José Lorenzo Pesquera1932–1933Served the remainder of Félix Córdova Dávila's term after his resignation.
Vacant1932Brief vacancy following Félix Córdova Dávila's resignation to join Puerto Rico's Supreme Court.
Félix Córdova Dávila1917–1932Long-serving commissioner who later became an associate justice of Puerto Rico's Supreme Court.
Vacant1916–1917The office was vacant after Luis Muñoz Rivera died in November 1916.
Luis Muñoz Rivera1911–1916Influential journalist and political leader who advocated greater self-government for Puerto Rico.
Tulio Larrínaga1905–1911Engineer and political leader who represented Puerto Rico during the early years of U.S. civilian administration.
Federico Degetau1901–1905Puerto Rico's first resident commissioner; defended the civil and political rights of Puerto Ricans under U.S. rule.

Historical note: Vacancies are listed separately to preserve the chronology. The resident commissioner serves a four-year term, unlike voting members of the U.S. House of Representatives, who serve two-year terms.



Did You Know?

Jones Act is a federal law requiring that goods shipped between U.S. ports are transported on ships built, owned, and operated by U.S. citizens or permanent residents.