Rafael Cox Alomar
Rafael Cox Alomar | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 30, 1974 San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Political party | Popular Democratic Party |
| Spouse | Hilda Rodríguez |
| Alma mater | Cornell University (B.A.) University of Oxford (D.Phil.) Harvard Law School (J.D.) |
| Profession | Politician, Attorney |
Rafael Cox Alomar is a Puerto Rican lawyer, academic, and candidate for Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico as of October 2011.
Early life
Cox Alomar was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico on 30 December 1974 to Noemí Alomar Suárez and Rafael Cox Rosario. He graduated from Cornell University in 1997. He subsequently attended the University of Oxford (Trinity College) on a Marshall Scholarship, earning a D.Phil. in Modern History in 2001. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 2004.[1]
Professional life
He practiced law in Washington, DC, representing clients in their disputes before the World Bank's International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes.[1] He also practiced law in Puerto Rico with Reichard & Escalera, a local firm. He is a member of the board of directors of the Luis Muñoz Marín Foundation.[2]
Resident Commissioner campaign
On 26 October 2011, Alejandro García Padilla announced that Cox Alomar would be his running mate in the 2012 elections, replacing Héctor Ferrer, who announced his candidacy for Mayor of San Juan.[3] On accepting the nomination, he committed himself to reaffirming the values of the Commonwealth status, as well as promoting the creation of jobs, bringing attention to public safety, and broadening access to education and health services.[4] He formally filed his candidacy on 30 October 2010.[5]
In May 2012, Cox Alomar became the subject of a scandal when a photograph comparing him to a chimpanzee with the with the words "R.I.P. Yuyo", was posted on the Twitter account belonging to Zaida R. Hernández Torres, a politician belonging to the New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico. Human rights defenders criticized Hernández for the personal attack against Cox Alomar, who is of Afro-Puerto Rican ancestry, however, in statement she claimed her Twitter account was hacked and that she did not post the offensive image. She later apologized to Cox Alomar and terminated her Twitter account, promising to avoid social networks.[6]
Political views
When named as candidate for Resident Commissioner, Cox Alomar avoided describing the Commonwealth status of Puerto Rico as colonial.[4] He has come out against the New Progressive Party's two-stage status referendum, calling it divisive.[5]
Personal life
Cox Alomar is married to Hilda Rodríguez.[5] He is related to former MLB basbeball players Sandy Alomar, Sr., Roberto Alomar, and Sandy Alomar, Jr..[7]
References
- ^ a b "Rafael Cox Alomar Biography" (PDF). Fundación Luis Muñoz Marín. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ "Rafael Cox Alomar Biography". Reichard & Escalera. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ "García Padilla anuncia a Rafael Cox Alomar como Compañero de Papeleta". Alejandro por Puerto Rico. 26 October 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ a b Díaz Alcaide, Maritza (26 October 2011). "Rafael Cox Alomar es el candidato del PPD a comisionado residente en Washington". Primera Hora. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ a b c Maldonado Arrigoitía, Wilma (30 October 2011). "Rafael Cox Alomar radica su candidatura a Comisionado Residente". Primera Hora. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ "Racist Photo Used in Puerto Rico Election Campaign". New American Media. 30 April 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
- ^ "Resurge candidatura de Cox Alomar para Washington". El Nuevo Día. 20 October 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2011.