Evelyn Vázquez

Evelyn Vázquez Nieves
Member of the Puerto Rico Senate
from the Mayagüez-Aguadilla district
Assumed office
2009-2013
Preceded by Carlos Pagán
Personal details
Born Isabela, Puerto Rico
Political party New Progressive Party
Children Andrea
Alma mater Interamerican University of Puerto Rico (B.A.)
Phoenix University (M.S.)
Profession Politician

Evelyn Vázquez Nieves is a Puerto Rican politician and Senator. She has been a member of the Senate of Puerto Rico since 2008.

Early years and studies

Evelyn Vázquez was born in the town of Isabela, Puerto Rico. Vázquez obtained her Bachelor's degree in Administration from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico. She then obtained her Master's degree from Phoenix University.

Modeling and acting career

Vázquez started modeling in 1986. She has participated in several beauty pageants locally and internationally, winning some of them like Mrs. Puerto Rico, Elegant Lady of Puerto Rico, MS American Woman of Puerto Rico 2002. She also participated in pageants like MS American Woman 2000, Miss Latin Look Latina PR, and Miss. Fashion Model PR.

Vázquez claims she appeared in musical videos from Salsa singer Tito Nieves and reggaeton singer Andy Andy. She also said she had an appearance in Daddy Yankee's film Talento de Barrio in 2008.

In September 18, 2001, Vázquez posed in a swimsuit for "El Bombón de Así", a popular centerfold of newspaper Primera Hora.[1]

Professional career

Vázquez began her professional career in 1989 as Director of Isabela's Center for the Elderly. She also worked as Night Director at Benedict School, a school specialized in language, tourism, and hotels, until 1993. She created and managed Isabela's Office of Tourism from 1995 to 2000. In 2001, she founded D'Queens Institute, an art and talent school in Isabela.

Political career

Vázquez participated in the primaries for New Progressive Party senator for the Mayagüez-Aguadilla district celebrated on March 9, 2008. She won a slot for the elections, arriving in second place, with around 600 votes over incumbent senator Carlos Pagán.[2] At the 2008 general elections, Vázquez was elected as senator becoming the first female senator of the Mayagüez-Aguadilla district in the history of Puerto Rico.[3]

In October 4, 2011, Vázquez was involved in a live argument with political commentator, Jay Fonseca, during an interview. During the interview, Fonseca accused Vázquez of using the slogan of a non-profit foundation for her political agenda, and called her a "bad example to the women of Puerto Rico, for previously being a pole dancer."[4][5] Vázquez said she planned to start legal action against Fonseca for defamation.[6] In October 20, 2011, Vázquez said that Fonseca had sent her a letter asking her for a meeting to apologize, but Vázquez insisted on him apologizing publicly.[7]

In November 10, 2011, it was revealed that the Special Investigations Bureau was investigating Vázquez for irregularities in her management of public funds. The investigation mentions excessive charging of diet allowance, nepotism, and irregularities in the handling of public funds.[8][9] Puerto Rico's Comptroller Yesmín Valdivieso confirmed she had submitted a complaint to the Senate of Puerto Rico about allegations of Vázquez receiving diet allowance as if she lived in Isabela, when she is currently living in the Condado neighborhood of San Juan, which would make her ineligible to receive such allowance. Vázquez classified the allegations as "absurd" and "gossip".[10]

Vázquez ran again for Senator in the 2012 general elections, but lost to the candidates of the Popular Democratic Party (PPD).

Personal life

Vázquez has a daughter named Andrea.

References

  1. ↑ Deja bikini por el Capitolio on Primera Hora; Vargas Saavedra, Maelo (June 13, 2008)
  2. ↑ Primarias 2008: Escrutinio General PNP on CEEPUR
  3. ↑ Elecciones Generales 2008: Escrutinio General on CEEPUR
  4. ↑ Jay Fonseca tiene fuerte encontronazo con Evelyn Vázquez on Primera Hora (October 4, 2011)
  5. ↑ Jay Fonseca y Evelyn Vázquez discuten en vivo on NoticieroPR (October 4, 2011)
  6. ↑ Evelyn Vázquez se dispone a demandar a Jay Fonseca por llamarla bailarina del tubo on Primera Hora; Marrero-Rodríguez, Rosalinda and Melba Brugueras (October 5, 2011)
  7. ↑ Evelyn Vázquez quiere disculpas públicas de Jay Fonseca on El Vocero (October 20, 2011)
  8. ↑ Justicia investiga a Evelyn Vázquez on Primera Hora; Bauzá, Nydia (November 10, 2011)
  9. ↑ En líos la Senadora Evelyn Vázquez on WAPA-TV; CyberNews (November 10, 2011)
  10. ↑ Evelyn Vázquez: “Son cosas absurdas” on El Nuevo Día; Caquías Cruz, Sandra (November 15, 2011)
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