José Luis Cruz Cruz (born September 3, 1959) is a Puerto Rican politician and former mayor of

Trujillo Alto Trujillo Alto () is a town and municipality of Puerto Rico. Located on the northeastern coastal plain on the boundary between the Northern Karst Belt and Sierra de Luquillo, it is north of Caguas and Gurabo, southeast of San Juan, and west of ...

. Cruz is affiliated with the Popular Democratic Party (PPD) and served as mayor from 2009 to 2022.

Early years and studies

José Luis Cruz Cruz was born on September 3, 1959. He is the oldest son of Luis Benjamín Cruz Hernández and Aurea Cruz Betancourt. His grandfather, Luis Cruz Hernández, was mayor of

from 1941 to 1945. Cruz received his high school diploma from Colegio Santa Cruz in Trujillo Alto. He then completed a

Bachelor's degree A bachelor's degree (from Medieval Latin ''baccalaureus'') or baccalaureate (from Modern Latin ''baccalaureatus'') is an undergraduate degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six years ...

in Business Management with a major in accounting from the Metropolitan University. He also graduated from the Theologic Institute of the Sendero de la Cruz church.

Public service

Cruz worked for 20 years for the Municipality of Trujillo Alto, serving as Director of the Municipal Housing Department, and of the Corporation for Economic Development of the city. He was also an Executive Aide to the mayor.

Political career

Cruz began his political career in 2006 when he became President of the Municipal Committee of the Popular Democratic Party (PPD). In 2007, he was nominated by his party to run for mayor and succeeded at the 2008 general election. Cruz was sworn in on January 12, 2009. Cruz was reelected in

2012 2012 was designated as: *International Year of Cooperatives *International Year of Sustainable Energy for All Events January *January 4 – The Cicada 3301 internet hunt begins. * January 12 – Peaceful protests begin in the R ...

, increasing his previous margin of victory by 10%. In 2016, he was reelected for a third term. Cruz received 63% of the vote, decreasing his previous margin of victory by 4%. In 2020, Cruz defeated Senator Eric Correa Rivera and received a fourth term. He won this time by only 9%, receiving 49% of the vote. On June 16, 2022, resigns as mayor of Trujillo Alto after 14 years in office. The resignation comes after pleaded guilty to engaging in bribery scheme when the mayor received at least $10,000 in kickback payments. For several weeks in which the municipal legislature Trujillo Alto tried to meet with the mayor to demand answers about the allegations of corruption against him.

Personal life

Cruz is married to Jeanette Cordero. They have two sons together: Luis Manuel and José Luis.

References

External links

José Luis Cruz Cruz Biography
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cruz Cruz, Jose Luis Living people 1959 births Mayors of places in Puerto Rico Popular Democratic Party (Puerto Rico) politicians People from Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico Puerto Rico politicians convicted of crimes