Jose “Quiquito” Melendez confirms that he will aspire to the position of resident commissioner in Washington DC

Representative Jose “Quiquito” Melendez announced this Monday morning that he will aspire to the position of resident commissioner of Puerto Rico in Washington DC for the New Progressive Party (PNP).

“I return, but to the federal House of Representatives”Melendez said in a radio interview with WKAQ 580.

In this way, Melendez specified what he implied this Sunday, in statements to the press, after Senator William Villafane announced that he will aspire to the seat of resident commissioner in Washington.

“There are going to be primaries for the resident police station in the PNP, that is going to happen”said the representative by accumulation, in an aside with the press on Sunday, before more than fifty candidates for the House of Representatives submitted their intentions for candidacy in the party, in an activity at an event center in Condado.

Several hours later, on Monday morning, Melendez expressed that “after a deep analysis… we have spoken with the people, we have consulted with the people, who are the people who really lead our party, and we have made the decision to aspire.”

He assured that he is prepared to face the primaries, “whether William or Elmer,” in reference to Villafane and Elmer Roman, former secretary of the Department of Public Security (DSP).

Weeks after having controversies with the current resident commissioner and gubernatorial candidate Jenniffer Gonzalez, Melendez reiterated that “I support the gubernatorial aspiration of Governor Pedro Pierluisi.”

Melendez assured that he had “some conversations with the governor” and thanked “that openness” that Pierluisi “demonstrated. “It was genuine.”

However, he did not specify whether he received Pierluisi’s endorsement in his aspiration to become resident commissioner.