Lawyer Vowing to Scrap Perks to the Rich Upends Puerto Rico Vote

Long-shot, third-party candidate Juan Dalmau has surged to a virtual tie in Puerto Rico’s governor race, propelled by his pledge to end tax breaks for wealthy newcomers to the island.

Dalmau, the head of the Puerto Rican Independence Party, is now in a statistical dead heat with 29% support against 31% for Jenniffer Gonzalez, with the ruling New Progressive Party, according to a Gaither International poll for El Vocero, WAPA TV and WKAQ released Monday. In July, Gonzalez held a commanding 43% lead over Dalmau’s 24%.

Juan Dalmau

Photographer: Daniel Delgado/GDAPHOTO via AP Photo

Dalmau has tapped into frustration with the island’s two-party system by ...