Puerto Rico governmental line of succession

Puerto Rico governmental line of succession
Process overview
Formed ad hoc
after the Governor is unable to perform his functions
Jurisdiction executive branch
Headquarters Office of the Governor
Key documents Law No. 7 of 1952
Article IV of the Constitution of Puerto Rico
Law No. 7 of 2005
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Puerto Rico

The Puerto Rico governmental line of succession defines who may become or act as Governor of Puerto Rico upon the incapacity, death, resignation, or removal from office (by impeachment and subsequent conviction) of a sitting governor or a governor-elect.

Article IV of the Constitution of Puerto Rico establishes that when a vacancy occurs in the post of Governor said post shall devolve upon the Secretary of State, who shall hold it for the rest of the term and until a new governor has been elected and qualifies. In the event that vacancies exist at the same time in both the post of Governor and that of Secretary of State, the law establishes a line of succession upon the Secretaries. This line of succession is established by Law No. 7 of 2005.

In the event that the Governor-elect does not qualify, or a permanent vacancy occurs in the office of Governor before the Governor-elect shall have appointed a Secretary of State, or before said Secretary, having been appointed, shall have qualified, the Legislative Assembly just elected elects a Governor who shall hold office until his successor is elected in the next general election and qualifies.

Current order

Order Office Current officer
1 Secretary of State David Bernier
2 Secretary of Justice César Miranda
3 Secretary of Treasury Melba Acosta Febo
4 Secretary of Education Rafael Román Meléndez
5 Secretary of Labor and Human Resources Vance Thomas
6 Secretary of Transportation and Public Works Miguel Torres Díaz
7 Secretary of Economic Development and Commerce Alberto Bacó Bagué
8 Secretary of Health Ana Rius Armendariz