Rivera-Vázquez, a longtime supporter of Puerto Rican sovereignty, is running a historic campaign to become a boricua champion in Congress.

May 29, 2026 | WASHINGTON, DC - Boricuas Unidos en la Diáspora (BUDPR), a leading organization of Puerto Ricans in the United States, today announced their endorsement of Mayra Rivera-Vázquez in the Democratic primary for the South Carolina 1st District election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Rivera-Vázquez is a member of the BUDPR Board of Advisors and a longtime supporter of Puerto Rico’s decolonization and sovereignty.

"I am proud to count on the support of Boricuas Unidos en la Diáspora, an organization that has been leading the charge to free Puerto Rico from colonial rule for many years,” said Rivera-Vázquez “I am bringing the Puerto Rican community in South Carolina and in my homeland of Puerto Rico with me to Congress and I am ready to fight for sovereignty and for all the issues that affect our people.”

Mayra Rivera-Vázquez was born and raised in Puerto Rico but has now lived in South Carolina for over a decade. She has had a distinguished career as a political advisor, legal expert, nonprofit leader, and community organizer. She served as Second Vice Chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party, making her one of the highest-ranking Latina leaders in the state, and she is the first Latina to run for Congress in South Carolina’s 1st district.

“Mayra Rivera-Vázquez has been leading and organizing her whole life, first in Puerto Rico and now in South Carolina. She has supported Puerto Rican sovereignty for decades, and we know she will bring that commitment with her to Washington, D.C.,” said BUDPR president Alberto Medina. “We’re proud to support her and we look forward to working with her in Congress.

Throughout the 2026 election cycle, BUDPR is connecting with federal lawmakers and candidates to secure their support for Puerto Rican sovereignty. Our organization previously endorsed Cori Bush for the Missouri 1st District U.S. House seat and Julie Gonzales for the U.S. Senate from Colorado.

“At a time when the crises in Puerto Rico and in the United States are only getting worse, we need Puerto Rican champions in Congress who will raise our issues and advocate for freedom and justice,” said Medina. “Especially now, when we’re losing an invaluable champion in retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez, it’s even more important to send more Puerto Ricans like Mayra to Congress so we continue to have a voice as we fight for our nation’s freedom.” 

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About BUDPR

Boricuas Unidos en la Diáspora (BUDPR) is a national advocacy organization of Puerto Ricans in the United States working toward a free, just, and prosperous future for Puerto Rico. BUDPR is the only national political organization that prioritizes decolonization and explicitly advocates for Puerto Rican independence. We use our influence in U.S. politics and society to support and ultimately free
Puerto Rico.