José Pichy Torres Zamora

José Torres Zamora
Speaker Pro Tempore of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives
Assumed office
January 9, 2017
Preceded by Roberto Rivera Ruiz de Porras
Secretary-General of the New Progressive Party
In office
December 27, 2012 – December 17, 2013
Preceded by Omar Negrón
Succeeded by José Aponte Hernández
At-Large Member of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives
In office
June 2, 2010 – January 1, 2013
Preceded by Iris Miriam Ruíz
Member of the Municipal Assembly of Jayuya
In office
2005–2009
Personal details
Born (1971-06-07) June 7, 1971
Jayuya, Puerto Rico
Political party New Progressive Party (PNP)
Children Joseluis Ernesto
Felipe Antonio

José Ernesto "Pichy" Torres Zamora (born June 7, 1971 in Jayuya, Puerto Rico) is a Puerto Rican politician and former Secretary General of the New Progressive Party (PNP). He was a member of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives from June 2, 2010, when he replaced Iris Miriam Ruíz, until 2013. Currently he is the Speaker Pro Tempore of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives.

Early years and studies

José Ernesto Torres Zamora was born in Jayuya in June 7, 1971 to Monsita Zamora González and Ernesto Torres Torres. He is the oldest of three children. His parents were founders of the New Progressive Party in Jayuya.

Torres Zamora graduated with honors from Josefina León Zayas High School. He was also president of his class in 1988. After that, he studied at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, where he completed a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, graduating cum laude. Finally, Torres studied at the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico where he completed post-graduate studies in Environmental and Management Engineering.

Currently Torres Zamora is studying for a Juris Doctor Degree at the Puerto Rico Law School, in his third year.

Professional career

Torres Zamora worked for 15 years in the private sector, specializing in Environmental Engineering.

Political career

Since his youth, Torres Zamora showed a penchant for leadership. In 1991, he was Vice President of the PNP Youth in Jayuya. In 2001, he was Vice President, and then President of the PNP in Jayuya. From 2005 to 2008, he was elected as part of the Municipal Assembly of the town, where he served as his party speaker.

Torres Zamora ran for an election spot at the 2008 primaries but lost.[1] However, in 2010, after Iris Miriam Ruíz was sworn in as Ombudswoman, Torres Zamora was called to fill the vacancy.[2] He was sworn in June 2, 2010.

At the 2012 primaries, Torres Zamora received the support of his party to run again for the House of Representatives. He was the candidate with the second-most votes, after incumbent Speaker Jenniffer González.[3] However, he was defeated at the general election.

On December 26, 2012, Governor and President of the PNP Luis Fortuño appointed Torres Zamora as Secretary General of the party.[4]

On June 6, 2016 Torres Zamora was elected as one of the six at-large representative candidates of the New Progressive Party to participate in the 2016 General Elections. He had the fourth-most votes in the primaries for at-large representative.

In the 2016 General Election Torres Zamora was elected as one of the 11 Puerto Rico at-large Representatives, with the sixth-most votes. Later the NPP Caucus elected Pichy Torres Zamora as the new Speaker Pro-Tempore of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives. He was sworn in on January 2, 2017 as Puerto Rico Representative and elected Speaker Pro Tempore on January 9, 2017.

Personal life

Torres Zamora is married and has two sons: Joseluis Ernesto and Felipe Antonio.

References

  1. ↑ Primarias 2008 Archived 2012-05-16 at the Wayback Machine. on CEEPUR
  2. ↑ Gómez, Antonio (March 2, 2010). "Confirmada Iris Miriam Ruíz como Procuradora del Ciudadano". Primera Hora.
  3. ↑ Primarias 2012 Archived 2013-01-02 at the Wayback Machine. on CEEPUR
  4. ↑ ""Pichy" Torres Zamora será el nuevo secretario general del PNP". El Nuevo Día. December 26, 2012.
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