Hernández, Pablo Jose

Pablo José Hernández Rivera, born May 11, 1991, serves as Puerto Rico's resident commissioner, the territory's sole representative in the U.S. House of Representatives. He represents Puerto Rico at-large and caucuses with the Democratic Party. Before his election to this federal position, Hernández Rivera worked as assistant secretary of federal and international affairs for the Popular Democratic Party (PPD), a major political party in Puerto Rico. In February 2025, he was elected president of the PPD, positioning himself as a leading voice for the party's centrist and autonomist platform.

In Congress, Hernández Rivera serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security, where he participates in subcommittees on Emergency Management and Technology and Counterterrorism and Intelligence. He also sits on the House Committee on Natural Resources, focusing on Indian and Insular Affairs as well as Oversight and Investigations. His legislative work reflects Puerto Rico's infrastructure and security needs, including sponsorship of the Puerto Rico Water Infrastructure Resilience Act and the Historic Infrastructure Management and Jobs Training Act, among 27 total bills.

Hernández Rivera is a vocal advocate for redefining Puerto Rico's political status. He champions greater autonomy and commonwealth status rather than statehood, positioning Puerto Rico as both a homeland and nation deserving self-governance and federal parity. He has called for enhanced authority to negotiate trade and tax agreements independently, arguing this approach maximizes economic development opportunities. His election in 2024 marked the first time since 2000 that Puerto Rican voters chose an opponent of statehood as their federal delegate. In June 2025, he made history by becoming the first resident commissioner since Aníbal Acevedo Vilá to participate in the New York Puerto Rican Day Parade.