TAMPA, Fla. — Democrats came together Saturday night, along with Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisiat, at Tampa’s Convention Center for the Hillsborough County Democratic Party's ninth annual Kennedy King Gala fundraiser.

What You Need To Know

  • Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi was in Tampa Saturday to attend the ninth annual Kennedy King Gala

  • The event is a fundraiser for the Hillsborough County Democratic Party

  • Pierluisi says that thanks to tourism gains, Puerto Rico has seen economic growth since 2021

Organizers said the goal of the event is to help the party align its shared goals — but for Pierluisi, it was also about slowly working toward a career-long goal.

Pierluisi highlighted the strides the island nation has made since he was elected in 2020.

Three years ago, the island was still reeling from Hurricane Maria, but Pierluisi said today its economy is thriving, thanks to a boom in tourism.

“It's like a new day in Puerto Rico,” Pierluisi said.  “In the meantime, the economy is growing. It has been growing now for three years in a row. We have the lowest unemployment rate in our history, and we have 100,000 additional salaried jobs in Puerto Rico when you compare now with January of 2021.”

As the recovery in Puerto Rico continues, Pierluisi  said there’s growing optimism a bill currently in the U.S. House will gain traction — a bill that seeks to make Puerto Rico a U.S. state.

Since 1917, residents of Puerto Rico have enjoyed U.S. citizenship, but not the right to vote in federal elections or be equally represented in Congress.

“If Democrats end up controlling the agenda in both the House and Senate, that would be very positive for the statehood movement in Puerto Rico,” said Pierluisi.  “Again, not because this is a Democratic issue, it shouldn't be viewed as a partisan issue, but I admit that a lot of Republicans think that making Puerto Rico a state would mean two additional Democratic senators and four additional Democratic representatives.”

Pierluisi said Puerto Rico has the same political splits seen in the U.S — rural areas tend to lean conservative, while urban area’s are more progressive.

It’s not likely Puerto Rico would gain statehood before the 2024 presidential election, but Pierluisi said the fight for statehood is a longterm goal.

Pierluisi’s first term as governor of Puerto Rico expires next fall. He said he will file official paper work to run for a second term on Oct. 1.