Who is this guy? Francisco Domenech is a former superdelegate to the 2008 and 2012 Democratic National Committee after becoming National Committeeman for the Young Democrats of America. He was one of the Ready for Hillary National Finance Council Co-Chairs, a Hillblazer for the Hillary 2016 campaign, and currently seats in her Finance Committee. He’s been the campaign spokesperson in Puerto Rico and recently had a beer with former president Bill Clinton in Puerto Rico.
He is also supporting a Republican for Congress. Last year, Jenniffer González became chair of the Republican Party in Puerto Rico. Soon after she filed in as a Pro-Statehood Republican candidate for the 2016 election cycle. She’s currently registered in the FEC as a Republican.
How is this possible? Some may say that it is because the way the political system is set up in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is a U.S. Territory in a deep economic mess. It’s political system is structured around the status question: Commonwealth, Statehood, or Independence. Francisco and Jenniffer are both from the Statehood Party (“New Progressive Party” as it is called in the island). Yet a closer inspection into this claim seems to fall short from justifying this strong of a support.
Jenniffer is being contested in an internal primary within the Statehood Party in the upcoming elections by Carlos Pesquera.
Who is Carlos Pesquera? He is a former Secretary of Puerto Rico’s Department of Transportation (1993-1999). He was announced as part of slate of the current democratic congressman of Puerto Rico, Pedro Pierluisi, who is also seeking to be Governor of Puerto Rico. Pierluisi is being contested by Ricardo Rosselló, son of former governor Pedro Rosselló. Jenniffer is on Ricardo’s slate.
So, wait a second...is Francisco Domenech is actively campaigning against a democrat within his own New Progressive Party?
Let’s dive even a bit deeper into this claim. To be exact: $2,700 deeper. Francisco is not only helping with the logistics in the campaign, but his individual donation has been duly reported on the FEC’s website.
Let’s set the record straight:
- This guy is supporting the Republican chair of Puerto Rico who is running as a Republican for Congress. That means that, if she wins, she will caucus with Republicans and against a Democrat in the White House (if a Democrat wins).
- The argument about the Statehood Party is irrelevant because she is being contested by an self-identified Independent who worked during a Democratic Governor, Pedro Rosselló, and was slated by Puerto Rico’s Democratic Congressman, Pedro Pierluisi.
- The rules of the Democratic Party of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (DPCPR) states that: [t]he DPCPR shall be open to all who desire to support the aforementioned principles and beliefs, who wish to be known as Democrats, and who do not support or participate in the affairs of any other party that nominates candidates for the Presidency of the United States or publicly supports or campaign for any Republican candidate for any office in any jurisdiction of the United States of America.
So, clearly, this is not about statehood. Then what is it? Friendship? Friendship of the Clintons? Friendship for Jenniffer? Friendship in exchange of money? Something just doesn’t add up.
One final thought: is he still a delegate?