Puerto Rico's Alexandra Lúgaro Is the Political Trailblazer We Need to Pay Attention To

By Kelsey Garcia

In 2015, Alexandra Lúgaro announced she would be running in Puerto Rico's upcoming gubernatorial race as an independent candidate. Her announcement officially made her the first female candidate to run for governor without belonging to either of the two major parties, the Popular Democratic Party and the New Progressive Party. Not only that, but the 35-year-old candidate continues to forge her own path by taking progressive stances on same-sex marriage, the island's economy, and the legalization of marijuana.

In a recent interview with Refinery29, Lúgaro spoke about her decision to run, as well as her career as a defense attorney prior to running. She said, "There was a breaking point where I found myself criticizing the government while watching TV in my house, so I decided to do something, and run to be part of the island's decision-making process."

Her campaign, however, has been met with some criticism, namely critiques of Lúgaro's appearance. She said, "That's the product of a society that is machista and patriarchal. And it's not only in politics, it's the media as well." Adding, "Some [reporters] would ask me, 'And why did you want to be governor and not a model?,' 'Do you use swimsuits?', 'What [sic] was the last time you cried?' And I reply to those reporters, 'Do you ask the same to the male candidates who come here?'"

In anticipation of Puerto Rico's election on Nov. 9, we've listed some fast facts about Lúgaro, below.

  1. Lúgaro was born on June 10, 1981 in San Juan.
  2. According to her official website, Lúgaro was just 15 years old when she graduated from high school and enrolled in the University of Puerto Rico. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in finance, marketing, and economics.
  3. She is currently in the process of completing a law doctorate where she is researching financial planning and tax reform.
  4. Lúgaro has worked as a defense attorney, focusing mostly on the education and criminal justice system in Puerto Rico.
  5. Her campaign is being crowdfunded after Lúgaro chose to not use the island's electoral fund as a form of protesting the use of millions to fund political campaigns when the island is in its weakened economic state.
  6. She has yet to take an official stance on Puerto Rico's current status as a United States commonwealth and the opinion that it should become independent.
  7. She has a young daughter, Valentina.
  8. Lúgaro was married to a professional photographer, Edwin Dominguez, for six years before filing for divorce in Dec. 2015.
  9. Though she previously identified as Catholic, she has since come out as an atheist and said she does not believe in the existence of a god.