political_party: New Progressive Party

Biography

Emilio Carlo Acosta was born in the old hospital of Cabo Rojo. A true native of Cabo Rojo, he has a vocation for volunteering and serving the nation, proudly wearing the uniform of the United States Armed Forces for over three decades.

Carlo Acosta holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences and Political Science, with a concentration in Public Administration and Accounting from the Interamerican University, San Germán Campus. Additionally, he has completed courses toward a Master’s degree in Business Administration and Finance, including Management Development at National University College.

He has attended seminars on Parliamentary Procedures and Drafting Bills in the House of Representatives, among other courses with a legislative focus.

His public service career includes serving as a Municipal Legislator, Assistant to the Vice Mayor of the Municipality of Cabo Rojo, Field and Citizen Services Director for the Senate of Puerto Rico, Regional Coordinator and Interim Director for the Department of Housing, Assistant Director of Internal Corporate Security and Investigations island-wide at the Aqueducts and Sewers Authority, and most recently, Senior Assistant Director for the Western Region, Mayagüez Area, at the Aqueducts and Sewers Authority.

He was an active member of the United States Army, and also served in the Army Reserve and the Puerto Rico National Guard. During his career, he reached the rank of Active First Sergeant. He ultimately retired after 30 years of service with the rank of Master Sergeant E-8.
One of his most notable roles is in volunteering. Over the past 20 years, he has worked to improve the quality of life in communities in the southwest area of the island through his work with various non-profit organizations, including the Cabo Rojo Lions Club, which he presided over, as well as serving as Zone Chief for the Lions Clubs of District 51-West.
Additionally, he served as Vice Commander of the American Legion Post Number 47. He is a lifetime member of the Puerto Rico Chapter of Foreign Wars. He was a member of the Puerto Real Fishing Village in Cabo Rojo and the Faith and Hope Crusade of Hogares Crea, among others.

On November 5, 2024, he was elected Representative for District Number 20, which includes the municipalities of Cabo Rojo, San Germán, and Hormigueros.

Biography

Joe ‘Joito’ Colón Rodríguez was born in the municipality of Arecibo on August 25, 1986. Son of José Luis Colón de Jesús and Evelyn Rodríguez Toledo, he is the second of four siblings. From an early age, he expressed a deep appreciation for the values of hard work, humility, and dedication instilled by his parents.

His academic education began at Félix Seijo Elementary School, where he excelled in the Civil Patrol program, a platform that promotes leadership and teamwork, similar to the principles of scouting. He later continued his education at Bernardo González School, where he completed intermediate grades, and finished his secondary education at Judith A. Vivas High School.

He enrolled in the Ana G. Méndez University System, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. He is currently in the process of completing his Master’s degree at the same university, with the goal of deepening his knowledge and continuing his professional development.

His professional career has been focused on public service. His effort and dedication have led him to hold multiple positions in the administration of the Municipality of Utuado, including Director of the Department of Public Works and Special Assistant to the Mayor. He has also served as Customer Service Supervisor and Director of the Northern Area at the Aqueducts and Sewers Authority, where he has led key projects aimed at improving services and stormwater infrastructure in the region.

Throughout his life, Colón Rodríguez has demonstrated a true calling to serve others, always seeking to improve the quality of life of those around him and working with integrity and responsibility in each of the roles he has held.

On November 5, 2024, he was elected Representative for District 22, which includes the municipalities of Lares, Utuado, Adjuntas, Jayuya, and Ciales. He was appointed to chair the House of Representatives’ Agriculture Committee.

Biography

Luis J. Jimenez Torres was born on May 25, 1982, in the municipality of Aibonito. From an early age, he stood out in education, sports, and his calling, public service. He completed his primary education in the public school system in the municipality of Orocovis, which has been his home throughout his life.

Jimenez Torres holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education (K-3) from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, Barranquitas Campus. Additionally, he completed a Master’s degree in Special Education at the Central University of Bayamón. He also has studies in Secondary Mathematics from the University of Puerto Rico, Utuado Campus.

In his public service career, he has served as a teacher, Majority Spokesperson in the Orocovis Municipal Legislature, as well as President of the Finance, Audit, Comptroller Affairs, and Property Committee and the Infrastructure, Transportation, Urbanism, and Environment Committee, in addition to Vice President of the Education, Arts, and Culture Committee.

Similarly, he has worked as a liaison between the Citizen Services Office, attached to the Governor’s Office, and the Department of Education, the Public Buildings Authority, the Department of State, the Teachers’ Retirement System, the Public Schools Management Office, the Public Schools Improvement Office, and the Financial Advisory Authority and Fiscal Agency.

His passion is education. Since 2007, Jimenez Torres has worked as a teacher in elementary and higher grades in the subjects of mathematics, Spanish, and physical education, focusing on developing skills to address academic lag, achieving an increase in the percentage of students who reached higher grades.

On November 5, 2024, he was elected Representative for District Number 26, which includes the municipalities of Orocovis, Barranquitas, Coamo, Corozal, and Villalba. He was appointed to chair the House Recreation and Sports Commission.

Biography

Representative Gabriel Rodríguez Aguiló was born on August 19, 1973. Married and proud father of three young children. Their education is a product of Puerto Rico’s public education system. He holds an associate degree in Chemical Engineering Technology from the University of Puerto Rico, Arecibo Campus, and an associate degree in Pharmacy Assistant from National University College in the same city. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree (BA) in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

In the 2004 elections, he was elected as Representative of District Number 13, composed of the towns of Manatí, Ciales, Florida, Barceloneta and Arecibo. During the 2004-2008 four-year term, he served as Chairman of the House Health Committee and the Joint Commission for the Implementation of the Right to Health.

In 2008, he was re-elected for a second term in the House of Representatives, being selected as Vice President of the House. In the 2012 elections, he was again elected as Representative for District Number 13. He served as Minority Whip on the Health Committee and as a member of the Finance and Budget, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs, Federal and International Affairs, and Veterans Affairs and Home Affairs Committees.

In 2016, for his outstanding and responsible work overseeing the then administration, he was reelected to a fourth consecutive term as Representative for District 13. He was also elected by his fellow representatives to serve as Speaker of the Parliamentary Majority in the House of Representatives and President of the Committee on Calendars and Special Rules of Debates of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico.

Rodríguez Aguiló is currently the Alternate Spokesperson for the Parliamentary Minority in the House of Representatives.